Slide rail assembly

A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail and a third rail. The second rail is movably mounted between the first rail and the third rail. The second rail and the third rail are movable relative to the first rail. The second rail and the third rail are detachable from the first rail.

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 having two rails detachable from another rail.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Generally, a slide rail assembly usually comprises a first rail, a second rail and a third rail. Wherein, the second rail is movably mounted between the first rail and the third rail. In current technology, the third rail is configured to carry an object. Thus, only the third rail can be detached from the other two rails (that is, the first rail and the second rail), in order to allow a user to perform maintenance on the object (or the third rail). However, according to the current technology, such slide rail assembly cannot meet specific market requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly having two rails detachable from another rail.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail and a third rail. The first rail is arranged with a first blocking feature. The second rail is arranged with a second blocking feature and movable relative to the first rail. The third rail is movable relative to the second rail. Wherein, the second rail is movably mounted between the first rail and the third rail. Wherein, when the second rail is moved relative to the first rail along a first direction to a first open position, the second blocking feature is blocked by the first blocking feature in order to prevent the second rail from being moved from the first open position along the first direction. Wherein, one of the first blocking feature and the second blocking feature is configured to be operated to move away from each other with the second blocking feature being no longer blocked by the first blocking feature, in order to allow the second rail to be moved from the first open position along the first direction to be further detached from the first rail.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly further comprises an operating member configured to be operated to drive the second blocking feature to move.

Preferably, the second rail comprises a through hole facing the first rail, and the second blocking feature passes through the through hole.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly further comprises a third blocking feature and a fourth blocking feature respectively arranged on the second rail and the third rail. When the third rail is moved relative to the second rail along the first direction to a second open position, the fourth blocking feature is blocked by the third blocking feature in order to prevent the third rail from being moved from the second open position along the first direction.

Preferably, one of the third blocking feature and the fourth blocking feature is configured to be operated to move away from each other with the fourth blocking feature being no longer blocked by the third blocking feature, in order to allow the third rail to be moved from the second open position along the first direction to be further detached from the second rail.

Preferably, the fourth blocking feature is operatively connected to the third rail.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly further comprises a fifth blocking feature operatively connected to the third rail. When the third rail is located at the second open position relative to the second rail, the fourth blocking feature and the fifth blocking feature are respectively located at two opposite sides of the third blocking feature.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly further comprises an engaging member mounted to the second rail. When the third rail is moved relative to the second rail along the first direction from a retracted position to a first predetermined position, the engaging member is configured to engage with the third rail in order to allow the second rail and the third rail to be synchronously moved relative to the first rail along the first direction.

Preferably, the first rail comprises a releasing feature. When the second rail and the third rail are synchronously moved relative to the first rail along the first direction to a second predetermined position, the releasing feature is configured to disengage the engaging member from the third rail, in order to allow the third rail to be moved relative to the second rail along the first direction.

Preferably, the engaging member is pivoted to the second rail. The slide rail assembly further comprises an elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to the engaging member. The third rail comprises a first wall, a second wall and a side wall connected between the first wall and the second wall. When the third rail is located at the retracted position relative to the second rail, the engaging member is driven to abut against the first wall and held in a first state by the elastic force of the elastic member.

Preferably, the third rail has an opening and a rail wall adjacent to the opening. The engaging member comprises an engaging part. When the third rail is located at the first predetermined position relative to the second rail, the engaging member is rotated relative to the second rail from the first state to a second state in response to the elastic force of the elastic member, such that the engaging part enters the opening to be located at a position corresponding to the rail wall.

Preferably, the second rail comprises an aperture facing the first rail. The engaging member comprises an extension part passing through the aperture. The releasing feature comprises a first guiding part. During a process of the second rail and the third rail being synchronously moved to the second predetermined position along the first direction, the extension part of the engaging member is guided by the first guiding part to disengage the engaging member from the third rail.

Preferably, the releasing feature further comprises a blocking part. When the second rail is moved relative to the first rail from the first open position to a third predetermined position along a second direction opposite to the first direction, the extension part of the engaging member is blocked by the blocking part for preventing the second rail from being moved relative to the first rail along the second direction.

Preferably, the releasing feature further comprises a second guiding part. During a process of the second rail being moved relative to the first rail from the first open position to the third predetermined position along the second direction, the engaging member is guided by the second guiding part through the extension part.

Preferably, during a process of the third rail being moved relative to the second rail along the second direction, the engaging member is driven by the third rail to move, such that the extension part of the engaging member is no longer blocked by the blocking part.

Preferably, the releasing feature further comprises a linear part. The blocking part and the linear part are located between the first guiding part and the second guiding part.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail and a third rail. The first rail is configured to be mounted to a first object. The third rail is configured to carry a second object. Wherein, the second rail is movably mounted between the first rail and the third rail. Wherein, the second rail is detachable from the first rail along a first direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a diagram showing a slide rail assembly20comprising a first rail22, a second rail24and a third rail26according to an embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, the second rail24is movably mounted between the first rail22and the third rail26. According to an embodiment, the first rail22is configured to be mounted to a first object28; and the third rail26is configured to carry a second object30. Wherein, the first object28can be a first chassis (or a first housing), and the second object30can be a second chassis (or a second housing). Alternatively, the first object28can be a cabinet, and the second object30can be a drawer. But the present invention is not limited thereto. According to such arrangement, since the third rail26is movable relative to the first rail22and/or the second rail24, the second object30can be pulled out of the first object28, or can be pushed into the first object28.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the first rail22can be fixed to the first object28by riveting, screwing or engaging. In the present embodiment, the first rail22is fixed to the first object28by a plurality of connecting members31. The first rail22comprises a first wall32a, a second wall32band a side wall34connected between the first wall32aand the second wall32b. A first passage36is defined by the first wall32a, the second wall32band the side wall34of the first rail22. In addition, the first rail22has a front part37aand a rear part37b. Moreover, the slide rail assembly20further comprises a first blocking feature38and a releasing feature40. In the present embodiment, the first blocking feature38is adjacent to the front part37aof the first rail22, and the releasing feature40is adjacent to the rear part37bof the first rail22. Specifically, the first blocking feature38can be an additional component fixed to the side wall34of the first rail22, or can be integrally formed on the side wall34of the first rail22. Therefore, the first blocking feature38can be seen as a portion of the first rail22. In the present invention, the first blocking feature38is a protrusion. On the other hand, the releasing feature40can be an additional component fixed to the side wall34of the first rail22, or can be integrally formed on the side wall34of the first rail22. Therefore, the releasing feature40can be seen as a portion of the first rail22. The releasing feature40and the first blocking feature38are spaced from each other. Preferably, the releasing feature40comprises a first guiding part42, a linear part44, a blocking part46and a second guiding part48. Preferably, each of the first guiding part42and the second guiding part48has an inclined surface or a curved surface. On the other hand, the linear part44and the blocking part46are located between the first guiding part42and the second guiding part48. Wherein, a step is formed between the blocking part46and the linear part44.

The second rail24is mounted into the first passage36of the first rail22. Specifically, the second rail24comprises a first wall50a, a second wall50band a side wall52connected between the first wall50aand the second wall50b. A second passage54is defined by the first wall50a, the second wall50band the side wall52of the second rail24. In addition, the second rail24has a front part55aand a rear part55b. Preferably, the second rail24comprises a through hole56and an aperture58facing the first rail22. Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further comprises a second blocking feature60and an operating member62(please also refer toFIG. 4). Wherein, the second blocking feature60can be an additional component arranged on the second rail24, and the second blocking feature60can be operated to move. The second blocking feature60passes through the through hole56. Specifically, the second blocking feature60comprises a main body part64, at least one extension leg66and an abutting part68. For example, the abutting part68is located between the main body part64and the at least one extension leg66, and the at least one extension leg66is bent relative to the abutting part68. On the other hand, the operating member62is operatively connected to the second rail24. Preferably, the operating member62is configured to be operated to drive the second blocking feature60to move. For example, the operating member62is an elastic piece. The operating member62has a connecting part70fixed to the side wall52of the second rail24, and an elastic part72connected to the connecting part70of the operating member62. The elastic part72has a mounting hole74for allowing the extension leg66of the second blocking feature60to extend therein. The elastic part72of the operating member62is configured to support the extension leg66of the second blocking feature60. The slide rail assembly20further comprises an engaging member76mounted to the second rail24and adjacent to the rear part55bof the second rail24. For example, the engaging member76is pivoted to the side wall52of the second rail24by a shaft member78. The slide rail assembly20further comprises an elastic member79configured to provide an elastic force to the engaging member76. The engaging member76comprises an extension part83and an engaging part81adjacent to the extension part83. The extension part83passes through the aperture58of the second rail24. Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further comprises at least one third blocking feature85. For example, the at least one third blocking feature85can be a protrusion arranged on the slide wall52of the second rail24and adjacent to the front part55aof the second rail24. Wherein, the second blocking feature60is located between the at least one third blocking feature85and the engaging member76.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5, the third rail26is mounted into the second passage54of the second rail24. Specifically, the third rail26comprises a first wall84a, a second wall84band a side wall86connected between the first wall84aand the second wall84b. In addition, the third rail26has a front part87aand a rear part87b. The third rail26is configured to mount the second object30. For example, the side wall86of the third rail26has a plurality of mounting holes88for mounting a plurality of mounting members90of the second object30. Preferably, the mounting holes88are spaced from each other, and each of the mounting holes88comprises a first hole part88aand a second hole part88bcommunicated with the first hole part88a. A diameter of the first hole part88ais greater than a diameter of the second hole part88b. On the other hand, each of the mounting members90of the second object30is mounted to the corresponding one of the mounting holes88. For example, each of the mounting members90can enter the second hole part88bthrough the first hole part88a. Preferably, one of the mounting members90can be held at the second hole part88bby a holding member92(please also refer toFIG. 6). Specifically, the holding member92is operatively connected to the third rail26. For example, the holding member92is an elastic piece, and the holding member92has a connecting part94fixed to the side wall86of the third rail26, an elastic part96connected to the connecting part94of the holding member92, and a receiving hole98located between the connecting part94and the elastic part96of the holding member92. Wherein, the elastic part96is located at a position corresponding to the first hole part88a, and the receiving hole98is located at a position corresponding to the second hole part88b. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 5, the slide rail assembly20further comprises a fourth blocking feature100and a fifth blocking feature102arranged on the third rail26. Preferably, the fourth blocking feature100and the fifth blocking feature102are operatively connected to the third rail26. In the present embodiment, both the fourth blocking feature100and the fifth blocking feature102are elastic pieces, and the fourth blocking feature100and the fifth blocking feature102are adjacent to the rear part87bof the third rail26. Specifically, the fourth blocking feature100has a connecting part104fixed to the side wall86of the third rail26, and an elastic part106connected to the connecting part104of the fourth blocking feature100. The elastic part106of the fourth blocking feature100has a first blocking section107. On the other hand, the fifth blocking feature102has a connecting part108fixed to the side wall86of the third rail26, and an elastic part110connected to the connecting part108of the fifth blocking feature102. The elastic part110of the fifth blocking feature102has a second blocking section111. Wherein, the elastic part110of the fifth blocking feature102and the elastic part106of the fourth blocking feature100are configured to support each other. Preferably, the third rail26further comprises a receiving port113located at a position corresponding to the elastic part110of the fifth blocking feature102and the elastic part106of the fourth blocking feature100. Preferably, the third rail26further comprises an opening112and at least one rail wall114around the opening112. The opening112is adjacent to the second wall84bof the third rail26.

As shown inFIG. 7, the extension part83of the engaging member76passes through the aperture58of the second rail24, and the elastic member79is located between the engaging member76and a supporting wall116of the second rail24, so as to hold the engaging member76in a first state S1relative to the second rail24. Furthermore, when the slide rail assembly20is in a retracted state, the second rail24is located at a retracted position relative to the first rail22. On the other hand, the third rail24is also located at a retracted position R relative to the second rail24. Wherein, the engaging member76is driven to abut against one of the first wall84aand the second wall84bof the third rail26(such as the second wall84b), and held in the first state S1by the elastic member79. Meanwhile, the elastic member79accumulates an elastic force.

As shown inFIG. 8, when the third rail26is moved relative to the second rail24from the retracted position R to a first predetermined position P1along a first direction D1(such as an open direction), the engaging member76is configured to engage with the third rail26, such that the second rail24and the third rail26can be synchronously moved relative to the first rail22along the first direction D1. Specifically, when the third rail26is located at the first predetermined position P1relative to the second rail24, the engaging member76is rotated from the first state S1to a second state S2by the elastic force of the elastic member79. As such, the engaging part81of the engaging member76enters the opening112of the third rail26to be located at a position corresponding to the at least one rail wall114.

As shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, when the engaging member76engages with the third rail26, the second rail24is driven by the third rail26to synchronously move. That is, the second rail24and the third rail26can be synchronously moved relative to the first rail22along the first direction D1. When the second rail24and the third rail26are synchronously moved to a second predetermined position P2, the releasing feature40of the first rail22is configured to disengage the engaging member76from the third rail26. Specifically, during a process of the second rail24and the third rail26being synchronously moved, the extension part83of the engaging member76can be moved sequentially along the first guiding part42, the linear part44, the blocking part46and the second guiding part48of the releasing feature40. For example, when the second rail24is moved relative to the first rail22to the second predetermined position P2, the engaging member76is guided by the first guiding part42through the extension part83to be no longer in the second state S2(such as the engaging member76returning to the first state S1), such that the engaging part81of the engaging member76is disengaged from the opening112of the third rail26.

As shown inFIG. 11, after the engaging part81of the engaging member76is disengaged from the opening112of the third rail26, the second rail24is no longer synchronously moved with the third rail26. The third rail26is movable relative to the second rail24along the first direction D1.

As shown inFIG. 11andFIG. 12, the operating member62and the second blocking feature60are in a first operating state X1. Wherein, the extension leg66of the second blocking feature60is arranged on the elastic part72of the operating member62. When the second rail24is moved relative to the first rail22to a first open position E1along the first direction D1, the abutting part68of the second blocking feature60is blocked by the first blocking feature38of the first rail22in order to prevent the second rail24from being moved relative to the first rail22from the first open position E1along the first direction D1.

As shown inFIG. 13andFIG. 14, when the abutting part68of the second blocking feature60of the second rail24is blocked by the first blocking feature38of the first rail22, the second blocking feature60can be operated to move. For example, a user can apply a force F to the elastic part72of the operating member62, in order to drive the second blocking feature60to move from the first operating state X1to a second operating state X2, such that the abutting part68of the second blocking feature60is no longer blocked by the first blocking feature38. In the present embodiment, the second blocking feature60is configured to be operated to move away from the first blocking feature38. However, in an alternative embodiment, the first blocking feature38can be operated to move away from the second blocking feature60in order to allow the second blocking feature60to be no longer blocked by the first blocking feature38.

As shown inFIG. 15, when the second blocking feature60is no longer blocked by the first blocking feature38, the second rail24can be moved relative to the first rail22from the first open position E1along the first direction D1, in order to be detached from the first passage36of the first rail22.

As shown inFIG. 16andFIG. 17, the third rail26is movable relative to the second rail24along the first direction D1. When the third rail26is moved to a second open position E2, the fourth blocking feature100is blocked by the at least one third blocking feature85in order to prevent the third rail26from being moved from the second open position E2along the first direction D1. Specifically, when the third rail26is moved relative to the second rail24to the second open position E2, the first blocking section107of the elastic part106of the fourth blocking feature100is blocked by the at least one third blocking feature85. Preferably, when the third rail26is located at the second open position E2relative to the second rail24, the first blocking section107of the fourth blocking feature100and the second blocking section111of the fifth blocking feature102are respectively located at two opposite sides of the at least one third blocking feature85. Wherein, the fourth blocking feature100can be operated to move away from the at least one third blocking feature85to be no longer blocked by the third blocking feature85. For example, the user can apply a force F to the elastic part106of the fourth blocking feature100and/or the elastic part110of the fifth blocking feature102, in order to allow the first blocking section107of the elastic part106of the fourth blocking feature100to be no longer blocked by the at least one third blocking feature85. In the present embodiment, the fourth blocking feature100can be operated to move away from the at least one third blocking feature85. However, in an alternative embodiment, the at least one third blocking feature85can be operated to move away from the fourth blocking feature100in order to allow the fourth blocking feature100to be no longer blocked by the at least one third blocking feature85.

As shown inFIG. 18, when the fourth blocking feature100is no longer blocked by the at least one third blocking feature85, the third rail26can be moved relative to the second rail24from the second open position E2along the first direction D1to be detached from the second passage54of the second rail24.

As shown inFIG. 19andFIG. 20, the second rail24and the third rail26can be mounted to the first rail22again. During a process of the second rail24and the third rail26being moved relative to the first rail33along a second direction D2(such as a retracted direction), the engaging member76is guided by the second guiding part48of the releasing feature40through the extension part83to move along the releasing feature40.

As shown inFIG. 21andFIG. 22, during a process of the second rail24being further moved relative to the first rail22along the second direction D2, the extension part83of the engaging member76is further moved along the releasing feature40. When the second rail24is moved to a third predetermined position P3, the extension part83of the engaging member76can be blocked by the blocking part46of the releasing feature40in order to prevent the second rail24from being moved relative to the first rail22along the second direction D2.

As shown inFIG. 23andFIG. 24, the extension part83of the engaging member76is blocked by the blocking part46of the releasing feature40. During a process of the third rail26being moved relative to the second rail24along the second direction D2, the rear part87bof the third rail26abuts against the engaging part81for rotating the engaging member76, such that the extension part83of the engaging member76is no longer blocked by the blocking part46of the releasing feature40. In other words, the second rail24is movable relative to the first rail22along the second direction D2. Therefore, both the second rail24and the third rail26can be retracted relative to the first rail22along the second direction D2.

Therefore, the slide rail assembly of the present invention is characterized in that:

1. The second rail24and the third rail26can be detached from or mounted to the first rail22, so as to assist the user in maintaining the slide rail and/or the object.

2. The third rail26can be detached from or mounted to the second rail24, so as to assist the user in maintaining the slide rail and/or the object.

3. The second rail24and the third rail26can be synchronously moved a predetermined moving distance relative to the first rail22along the first direction D1. According to such arrangement, when the third rail26carries an object, the second rail24and the third rail26can share weight of the object in order to increase supporting strength.