Self-opening and self-closing slide assembly

A self-opening and self-closing slide assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a movable unit, a hooking member and a contact member. The movable unit is installed to the first rail and includes a movable member, a first resilient member and a second resilient member. The second rail is installed between the first and third rails. The hooking member and the contact member are connected to the third rail. When the third rail is pushed, the hooking member is disengaged from the movable member. The second rail extends relative to the first rail by the force from the first resilient member. When the third rail is retracted relative to the first rail, the hooking member is connected to the movable member and the second resilient member applies a force the movable member to retract the third rail relative to the first rail.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-opening and self-closing device, and more particularly, to a self-opening and self-closing slide assembly that can be self-opening when being pressed and self-closing when being pushed inward.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional opening and closing device used for drawers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,261 to Wang with the title of “Push-open type slide structure” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,813 to Gasser with the title of “Retraction device for drawers”, both of which provide a single function.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,172,345 to Liang with the title of “Self-moving device for movable furniture parts” discloses a self-moving device for slide assembly.

The present invention intends to provide a self-close/open slide assembly which combines the functions of self-open and self-close so that the rails automatically open or close by applying a force thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-opening and self-closing slide assembly and comprises a first rail having a side wall, a release portion, a guide groove and a first passage. The release portion is located on the side wall and in the first passage. The guide groove is located on the side wall and has a longitudinal groove and a transverse groove which communicates with the longitudinal groove. A second rail is slidably connected to the first rail and has a side wall, a protrusion and a second passage. The protrusion is connected to the side wall of the second rail and faces the first passage of the first rail. A third rail is slidably connected to the second rail and has a push block facing the second passage of the second rail. A movable unit has a base, a first resilient member, a push member, a movable member and a second resilient member. The base is connected to the side wall of the first rail and has a longitudinal section, a room and a guide passage. The room is substantially parallel to the longitudinal section. The guide passage has a longitudinal guide groove and a transverse guide groove which communicates with the longitudinal guide groove. The first resilient member is biased between the base and the push member. The push member is located corresponding to the second rail. The movable member is movably connected to the base and has a first leg, a second leg, a guide path and an engaging portion. The first leg and the second leg are respectively located corresponding to the guide passage and the room of the base. The guide path has a first longitudinal guide path, a second longitudinal guide path and a mediate path. The first and second longitudinal guide paths are located on two sides of the engaging portion. The mediate path communicates with the first and second longitudinal guide paths and located corresponding to the engaging portion. The second resilient member is located in the room of the base and contacts the second leg of the movable member. A passive unit has a link, a connection unit and a first spring. The link has a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion is located in the guide groove of the first rail and the second protrusion is located corresponding to the protrusion of the second rail. The connection unit is connected between the movable member and the link. The first spring is connected between the link and the connection unit. A synchronic unit has a synchronic member and a second spring. The synchronic member is pivotably connected to the second rail and has a first contact portion and a second contact portion. The first contact portion faces the side wall of the first rail and is located corresponding to the release portion. The second contact portion is located corresponding to the push block of the third rail. The second spring is connected between the synchronic member and the second rail. A hooking unit has a hooking member and a contact member. The hooking member is pivotably connected to the third rail and has a hooking portion. The contact member is fixed to the third rail and located corresponding to the movable member. When the third rail is located at a retracted position relative to the first rail, the second rail is retracted in the first rail. The hooking portion of the hooking member is engaged with the engaging portion of the movable member. The push member is pushed by the second rail and compresses the first resilient member. The first resilient member generates a force in a first direction and the force is applied to the push member. The second leg of the movable member contacts the second resilient member. The push block of the third rail is located corresponding to the second contact portion of the synchronic member. When the third rail is pushed by a pushing force, the hooking portion of the hooking member is disengaged from the engaging portion of the movable member and is moved to the first longitudinal guide path of the movable member. When the pushing force is disappeared, the force in the first direction of the first resilient member is released. The second rail is pushed by the push member and moves relative to the first rail. When the third rail is continuously pulled, the push block of the third rail contacts the second contact portion of the synchronic member so that the second rail is pulled along with the movement of the third rail. The protrusion of the second rail pushes the second protrusion of the link so that the first protrusion of the link moves along the longitudinal groove of the guide groove of the first rail. The movable member is moved by the link and the connection unit. The movable member moves along the longitudinal guide groove of the guide passage of the base. When the first protrusion is engaged with the transverse groove of the guide groove, the protrusion of the second rail presses on a top of the second protrusion of the link. The first leg is located in the transverse guide groove of the guide passage and the second resilient member is compressed by the second leg and generates a force in a second direction. When the first contact portion of the synchronic member contacts the release portion of the first rail, the synchronic member swings an angle and the second contact portion of the synchronic member is disengaged from the push block of the third rail. When the third rail is retracted relative to the first rail, the first contact portion of the synchronic member is separated from the release portion of the first rail and the second contact portion returns to a position located corresponding to the push block. When the contact member pushes the movable member, the movable member is disengaged from the transverse guide groove of the guide passage and the hooking portion of the hooking member contacts the engaging portion of the movable member. The force of the second resilient member retracts the third rail relative to the first rail and the first protrusion or the link is separated from the transverse groove of the guide groove.

Preferably, the slide assembly further comprises a threaded block and an adjustment member, and both of which are located corresponding to the room. The adjustment member has a threaded rod and a head which extends from one end of the threaded rod. The threaded rod of the adjustment member threadedly extends through the threaded block. The threaded rod in the room contacts the second leg of the movable member.

Preferably, the connection unit comprises a first connector and a second connector which is connected to the first connector. The first connector is fixed to the movable member by a fixing member. The second connector is pivotably connected to the link.

Preferably, the link has a first hook and the second connector has a second hook. The first spring is hooked between the first and second hooks.

Preferably, a support member is fixed to the side wall of the first rail and has a support passage in which the second connector is movably located. The support member has at least one stop wall to maintain the second connector in the support passage.

Preferably, the side wall of the second rail has a window and the synchronic member is located beside the window and pivotably connected to the second rail by a pivot. The first contact portion of the synchronic member extends through the window and toward the side wall of the first rail.

Preferably, the first contact portion of the synchronic member has an inclined face which is located corresponding to the release portion of the first rail. The synchronic member has a third hook and the second rail has a fourth hook. The second spring is hooked between the third and fourth hooks.

Preferably, the third rail has an opening. The hooking unit comprises a cover which is located corresponding to the opening and is fixed to the third rail. The hooking member is pivotably connected to the cover by a pin. The cover has a curved slot which is located corresponding to the hooking portion of the hooking member. The hooking portion of the hooking member extends through the curved slot.

Preferably, the first rail has a buffering member connected thereto and comprises a plunger which is extendable from the buffering member. The distance that the plunger extends forms a buffering travel to the second rail.

Alternatively, the present invention also provides a self-close/open slide assembly and comprises a first rail having a top wall, bottom wall, a side wall, a release portion and a guide groove. The side wall is connected between the top and bottom walls. The top wall, the bottom wall and the side wall define a first passage. The release portion is located on the side wall and in the first passage. The guide groove is located on the side wall and has a longitudinal groove and a transverse groove which is located at the distal end of the longitudinal groove and communicates with the longitudinal groove. A second rail is slidably connected to the first rail and has a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall and a protrusion. The side wall is connected between the top and bottom walls of the second rail. The top wall, the bottom wall and the side wall define a second passage. The protrusion is connected to the side wall of the second rail and faces the first passage of the first rail. A third rail is slidably connected to the second rail and has a push block facing the second passage of the second rail. A movable unit has a base, a fixing frame, a first resilient member, a push member, a movable member and a second resilient member. The base is connected to the side wall of the first rail and has a longitudinal section, a room and a guide passage. The room is substantially parallel to the longitudinal section. The guide passage has a longitudinal guide groove and a transverse guide groove which is located at the distal end of the longitudinal guide rove and communicates with the longitudinal guide groove. The fixing frame is connected to the base and comprises a longitudinal rod. The first resilient member is mounted to the longitudinal rod. The push member is slidably connected to the longitudinal section of the base and movably mounted to the longitudinal rod of the fixing frame and contacts the first resilient member. The movable member is movably connected to the base and has a first leg, a second leg, a guide path and an engaging portion. The first leg and the second leg are respectively located corresponding to the guide passage and the room of the base. The guide path has a first longitudinal guide path, a second longitudinal guide path and a mediate path. The first and second longitudinal guide paths are located on two sides of the engaging portion. The mediate path communicates with the first and second longitudinal guide paths and is located corresponding to the engaging portion. The second resilient member is located in the room of the base and contacts the second leg of the movable member. A passive unit has a link, a connection unit and a first spring. The link has a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion is located in the guide groove of the first rail and the second protrusion is located corresponding to the protrusion of the second rail. The connection unit is connected between the movable member and the link. The first spring is connected between the link and the connection unit. A synchronic unit has a synchronic member and a second spring. The synchronic member is pivotably connected to the second rail and has a first contact portion and a second contact portion. The first contact portion faces the side wall of the first rail and is located corresponding to the release portion. The second contact portion is located corresponding to the push block of the third rail. The second spring is connected between the synchronic member and the second rail. A hooking unit has a hooking member and a contact member. The hooking member is pivotably connected to the third rail and has a hooking portion. The contact member is fixed to the third rail and located corresponding to the movable member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the self-opening and self-closing slide assembly of the present invention comprises a first rail10, a first bearing assembly12, a second rail14, a second bearing assembly16, a third rail18and an open-close device20. The first bearing assembly12is connected to the first rail10so that the second rail14is slidably connected to the first rail10. The second bearing assembly16is connected to the second rail14so that the third rail18is slidably connected to the second rail14.

The first rail10has a top wall22a, bottom wall22b, a side wall24, a release portion26and a guide groove28. The side wall24is connected between the top and bottom walls22a,22b. The top wall22a, the bottom wall22band the side wall24define a first passage30. The release portion26is located on the side wall24and in the first passage30. The guide groove28is located on the side wall24and has a longitudinal groove32and a transverse groove34which is located at the distal end of the longitudinal groove32and communicates with the longitudinal groove32.

The second rail14is slidably connected to the first passage30of the first rail10by the first bearing assembly12. The second rail14comprises a top wall36a, a bottom wall36b, a side wall38, a protrusion40and a window42as shown inFIG. 3. The side wall38is connected between the top and bottom walls36a,36bof the second rail14. The top all36a, the bottom all36band the side wall38define a second passage44. The protrusion40is connected to the side wall38of the second rail14and faces the first passage30of the first rail10. The window42is defined in an end of the side wall38.

The third rail18is slidably connected to the second passage44of the second rail14by the second bearing assembly16, and has a push block46and an opening48as shown inFIG. 4. The push block46faces the second passage44of the second rail14.

The open-close device20comprises a movable unit50, a passive unit52, a synchronic unit54and a hooking unit56.

The movable unit50, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, comprises a base58, a fixing frame60, a first resilient member62, a push member64, a movable member66and a second resilient member68. The base58is connected to one end of the side wall24of the first rail10and comprises a longitudinal section70, a room72and a guide passage74. The distal end of the longitudinal section70has a stop portion76. The room72is substantially parallel to the longitudinal section70. The guide passage74has a longitudinal guide groove78and a transverse guide groove80which is located at the distal end of the longitudinal guide rove78and communicates with the longitudinal guide groove78.

The fixing frame60is connected to the base58and comprises a longitudinal rod82.

The first resilient member62is mounted to the longitudinal rod82and has one end thereof contacting the fixing frame60.

The push member64is slidably connected to the longitudinal section70of the base58and movably mounted to the longitudinal rod82of the fixing frame60and contacts the first resilient member62. When the push member64is pushed to compress the first resilient member62, the first resilient member62generates a force in a first direction and the force is applied to the push member64.

The movable member66is movably connected to the base58and has a first leg84a, a second leg84b, a guide path86and an engaging portion88. The first leg84aand the second leg84bare respectively located corresponding to the guide passage74and the room72of the base58. The initial status of the first leg84ais contacting the longitudinal guide groove78of the guide passage74and the second leg84bis located in the room72of the base58. The guide path86has a first longitudinal guide path90, a second longitudinal guide path92and a mediate path94. The first and second longitudinal guide paths90,92are located on two sides of the engaging portion88. The mediate path94communicates with the first and second longitudinal guide paths90,92and is located corresponding to the engaging portion88. Preferably, the movable member66has a driving end96which is located close to the engaging portion88.

The second resilient member68is located in the room72of the base58. When the second leg84bmoves to compress the second resilient member68, the second resilient member68is compressed by the second leg84band generates a force in a second direction. The force of the second resilient member68is applied to the second leg84b. The first and second directions are in opposite to each other.

A preferable embodiment further comprises a threaded block98and an adjustment member100both located corresponding to the room72. The adjustment member100has a threaded rod102and a head104which extends from one end of the threaded rod102. The threaded rod102of the adjustment member100threadedly extends through the threaded block98, so that the threaded rod102in the room72contacts the second leg84bof the movable member66. When the user rotates the head104of the adjustment member100, the threaded rod102is moved forward or backward relative to the room72such that the initial position of the second leg84bin the room72of the base58can be adjusted.

The passive unit52, as shown inFIG. 7, has a link106, a connection unit108and a first spring110. The link106has a first protrusion112and a second protrusion114. The first protrusion112is located in the guide groove28of the first rail10. The second protrusion114is located longitudinally and corresponding to the protrusion40of the second rail14. The connection unit108is connected between the movable member66and the link106. In a preferable embodiment, the connection unit108comprises a first connector116and a second connector118which is connected to the first connector116. The first connector116is fixed to the movable member66by a fixing member120as shown inFIG. 6. The second connector118is pivotably connected to the link106. The first spring110is connected between the link106and the second connector118of the connection unit108. In a preferable embodiment, the link106has a first hook122and the second connector118has a second hook124. The first spring110is hooked between the first and second hooks122,124.

In a preferable embodiment, the movable unit52comprises a support member126fixed to the side wall24of the first rail10and has a support passage128in which the second connector118is movably located. The support member126has at least one stop wall130to maintain the second connector118in the support passage128of the support member126.

The synchronic unit54, as shown inFIG. 3, has a synchronic member132and a second spring134. The synchronic member132is pivotably connected to the side wall38of the second rail14by a pivot136and has a first contact portion138and a second contact portion140. The first contact portion138extends through the window42of the second rail14and toward the side wall24of the first rail10. The first contact portion138of the synchronic member132has an inclined face142which is located corresponding to the release portion26of the first rail10. The second contact portion140is located corresponding to the push block46of the third rail18. The second spring134is connected between the synchronic member132and the second rail14. In a preferable embodiment, the synchronic member132has a third hook144and the second rail14has a fourth hook146. The second spring134is hooked between the third and fourth hooks144,146.

The hooking unit56, as shown inFIG. 4, has a hooking member148, a cover150and a contact member152. The hooking member148is pivotably connected to the cover150by a pin156. The cover150is securely connected to the third rail18and located corresponding to the opening48of the third rail18. The cover150has a curved slot158which is located corresponding to the hooking portion154of the hooking member148. The hooking portion154of the hooking member148extends through the curved slot158and is movable within the curved slot158. The contact member152is fixed to the third rail18and located corresponding to the driving end96of the movable member66.

As shown inFIG. 8, when the third rail18is located at a retracted position relative to the first rail10, the second rail14is retracted in the first rail10. The hooking portion154of the hooking member148is engaged with the engaging portion88of the movable member66. The second resilient member68contacts the second leg84bof the movable member66. The push member64is pushed by the second rail14and compresses the first resilient member62, the first resilient member62generates a force in a first direction F1and the force is applied to the push member64. Under the retracted status, the push block46of the third rail18is located corresponding to the second contact portion140of the synchronic member132of the second rail14. The first resilient member62stores a force relative to the second rail14. The force of the second resilient member68is applied to the movable member66. The second leg84bof the movable member66contacts the threaded rod102of the adjustment member100.

As shown inFIG. 9, when the third rail18is pushed by a pushing force F (as shown in the direction shown by the arrow head), the hooking portion154of the hooking member148is disengaged from the engaging portion88of the movable member66and is moved to the first longitudinal guide path90of the movable member66. When the pushing force is disappeared, the force in the first direction F1of the first resilient member62is released, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the second rail14is pushed by the push member64and the third rail18is also moved by the second rail14relative to the first rail10.

As shown inFIG. 11, when the third rail18is continuously pulled relative to the first rail10, as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, the push block46of the third rail18contacts the second contact portion140of the synchronic member132so that the second rail14is pulled along with the movement of the third rail18. The protrusion40of the second rail14pushes the second protrusion114of the link106so that along with the continuous movement of the second rail14, the first protrusion112of the link106moves along the longitudinal groove32of the guide groove28of the first rail10. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, the connection unit108is connected between the movable member66is moved by the link106, the movable member66moves along the longitudinal guide groove78of the guide passage74of the base58. When the first protrusion112is guided and engaged with the transverse groove34of the guide groove28, the protrusion40of the second rail14presses on the top of the second protrusion114of the link106. The first protrusion112of the link106is located in the transverse groove34of the guide groove28. The movable member66is guided and moved, the first leg84ais located in the transverse guide groove80of the guide passage74and the second resilient member68is compressed by the second leg84band generates a force in the second direction F2.

As shown inFIG. 13, when the first contact portion138of the synchronic member132contacts the release portion26of the first rail10, the first contact portion138contacts the release portion26by the inclined face142and is temporarily positioned. The synchronic member132swings an angle and the second contact portion140of the synchronic member132is disengaged from the push block46of the third rail18. Therefore, the third rail18can be completely pulled relative to the first rail10and the distance is prolonged by the second rail14.

As shown inFIG. 15, when the third rail18is retracted relative to the first rail10, the third rail18is first retracted into the second rail14, and then the third rail18and the second rail14are retracted relative to the first rail10. The push block46of the third rail18moves to the position where the push block46is located corresponding to the second contact portion140of the synchronic member132. The first contact portion138of the synchronic member132is separated from the release portion26of the first rail10. The protrusion40of the second rail14does not press on the second protrusion114of the link106after the second rail14moves.

As shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, when the second and third rails14,18are retracted relative to the first rail10, and the contact member152pushes the driving end96of the movable member66so that the first leg84aof the movable member66is disengaged from the transverse guide groove80of the guide passage74and the hooking portion154of the hooking member148is moved to the second longitudinal guide path92of the movable member66and contacts the engaging portion88of the movable member66. The force of the second resilient member68in the second direction F2is applied to the movable member66, the engaging portion88of the movable member66contacts the hooking portion154of the hooking member148to retract the third rail18relative to the first rail10to the status as shown inFIG. 8.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 17, a connection unit108is connected to the movable member66and the link106so that the movable member66moves the link106as shown inFIG. 18. The first protrusion112of the movable member66removes from the transverse groove34of the guide groove28and returns to the longitudinal groove32of the guide groove28. The first spring110provides assistance to allow the link106to swing smoothly.

As shown inFIGS. 19,20, a preferable embodiment further comprises a buffering member160connected to the first rail10and comprises a plunger162which is extendable from the buffering member160. The plunger162is located corresponding to the second rail14and the distance that the plunger162extends forms a buffering travel to the second rail14. When the second rail14is retracted with the third rail18relative to the first rail10, the plunger162contacts the second rail14so that the retraction action of the slide assembly is more stable.