Patent Description:
US patent number<CIT> discloses a slide rail assembly at least comprising a first rail and a second rail movable relative to each other. When the second rail is located at a retracted position relative to the first rail, a locking member is configured to abut against a blocking structure of the first rail in order to lock the second rail at the retracted position.

US patent number <CIT> discloses a slide rail assembly at least comprising a first rail and a second rail movable relative to each other. When the second rail is located at a retracted position relative to the first rail, an engaging member is configured to be engaged with a stop on a bracket of the first rail in order to lock the second rail at the retracted position.

<CIT> discloses a slide rail assembly comprising at least two rails. When one of the rails is located at a retracted position relative to the other rail, a locking member is configured to be engaged with a blocking portion of the first rail in order to lock the two rails at the retracted position.

The rails of the slide rail assemblies in the aforementioned cases are configured to be locked at the retracted positions through the locking member (or engaging member). The locking member (or engaging members) is configured to work by rotation. However, for different market requirements, it is important to develop various products for the user.

<CIT> discloses an interlocking device for a slide rail connected with other interlocking devices through a cable. The interlocking device has a sliding block and a rotary disc disposed on a fixed base. The rotary disc is disposed thereon with a stop block. The sliding block and the stop block are connected with the rotary disc respectively by second springs to link each other. The stop block is connected with a pulley of a slide rail. The sliding block is connected with the cable so that when the slide rail slides outward, the slide rail drives the stop block, the rotary disc, and the sliding block to move synchronously. After the pulley is separated from the stop block, the cable is drawn tightly by the sliding block to lock the other interlocking devices.

<CIT> discloses slide rail assembly including a first rail, a second rail, and a blocking member. The blocking member is arranged adjacent to the rear end of the first rail and can be operated so as to enter or exit a blocking state. The blocking member in the blocking state serves to block the rear end of the second rail. When the blocking member is not in the blocking state, and the second rail reaches a rearwardly extended position after displacement with respect to the first rail, the rear end of the second rail extends beyond the rear end of the first rail.

<CIT> discloses a drawer slide including first and second telescoping members, a latch having a dog and pivotally connected to the first member and a catch on the second member to receive the dog of the latch in a locking position of the latch. An actuator includes a cam surface and movably coupled to the first member and a cam follower on the latch riding on the cam surface. The cam surface includes a locking position on the cam surface between two unlocking positions on the cam surface for the latch.

<CIT> discloses a latch assembly provided for a track device that includes a first track member and a second track member. The latch assembly comprises a latch handle mounted to the first track member and a latch seat provided on the second track member. The latch handle includes a latching portion and an unlatching member. The latching portion of the latch handle is releasably engaged with the latch seat, thereby preventing sliding movement of the first track member relative to the second track member. The unlatching member is operable to urge the latching portion to be disengaged from the latch seat, thereby allowing the sliding movement of the first track member relative to the second track member. Additional relevant prior art is disclosed in document <CIT>.

This in mind, the present invention aims at providing a slide rail assembly having a slide rail configured to be locked relative to another slide rail at a predetermined position.

This is achieved by a slide rail assembly according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims pertain to corresponding further developments and improvements.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a slide rail assembly <NUM> comprises a first rail <NUM>, a second rail <NUM> and an operating member <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the slide rail assembly <NUM> further comprises a connecting member <NUM>.

The second rail <NUM> is longitudinally movable relative to the first rail <NUM> and is located at a predetermined position R (such as a retracted position, but the present invention is not limited thereto). In the present embodiment, the X-axis is a longitudinal direction (or a length direction of the slide rail), the Y-axis is a transverse direction (or a lateral direction of the slide rail), and the Z-axis is a vertical direction (or a height direction of the slide rail).

Preferably, the slide rail assembly <NUM> further comprises a third rail <NUM> and a fourth rail <NUM> movably mounted between the first rail <NUM> and the second rail <NUM>. The third rail <NUM> and the fourth rail <NUM> are configured to extend a traveling distance of the second rail <NUM> relative to the first rail <NUM>.

Preferably, the first rail <NUM> has a front part 22a. The fourth rail <NUM> has a rear part 31b. The first rail <NUM> comprises at least one blocking feature <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first rail <NUM> comprises two blocking features <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, but one blocking feature <NUM> is enough to work normally. In addition, the blocking feature <NUM> is arranged adjacent to the front part 22a of the first rail <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the blocking feature <NUM> is an inner wall of an opening H, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Or, in other embodiments, the blocking feature <NUM> can be an inner wall of a recessed part or a groove; or the blocking feature <NUM> can be a protrusion. The present invention is not limited thereto.

The connecting member <NUM> is connected, such as fixedly connected, to the second rail <NUM>. The connecting member <NUM> can be seen as a portion of the second rail <NUM>. The second rail <NUM> has a front part 24a and a rear part 24b. In the present embodiment, the connecting member <NUM> is arranged adjacent to the front part 24a of the second rail <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting member <NUM> comprises a cover body <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). After removing the cover body <NUM>, it can be seen that the slide rail assembly <NUM> further comprises at least one locking member <NUM> and a driving member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). In the present embodiment, the slide rail assembly <NUM> comprises two locking members <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, but one locking member <NUM> is enough to work normally. The locking member <NUM> is configured to interact with the blocking feature <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting member <NUM> is formed with a space S configured to accommodate the operating member <NUM>, the locking member <NUM> and the driving member <NUM>.

Preferably, the connecting member <NUM> is formed with a through hole <NUM> corresponding to the locking member <NUM>, and the through hole <NUM> is communicated with the space S. When the second rail <NUM> is located relative to the first rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R, the through hole <NUM> corresponds to the opening H of the first rail <NUM>, and the locking member <NUM> can be extended into the opening H of the first rail <NUM> through the through hole <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). When the second rail <NUM> is located relative to the first rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R, the locking member <NUM> is configured to lock the second rail <NUM> relative to the first rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R. More particularly, a locking section <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> in a locking state J1 is configured to interact with the blocking feature <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> for locking the second rail <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). For example, the locking section <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> and the blocking feature <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> are configured to block each other in order to lock the second rail <NUM> relative to the first rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly <NUM> further comprises a first elastic member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), and the operating member <NUM> is configured to be held at an initial position K1 in response to an elastic force of the first elastic member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first elastic member <NUM> is a torsion spring, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the first elastic member <NUM> comprises a first elastic part 44a, a second elastic part 44b and a mounting part <NUM> connected between the first elastic part 44a and the second elastic part 44b. The mounting part <NUM> is mounted to a corresponding feature <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM> (such as a protruded section, but the present invention is not limited thereto). The first elastic part 44a is configured to abut against a predetermined portion <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), and the second elastic part 44b is configured to provide an elastic force to the operating member <NUM> accordingly, such that the operating member <NUM> can be held at the initial position K1.

Preferably, the sliding rail assembly <NUM> further comprises a second elastic member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), and the driving member <NUM> is configured to be held at a first driving position M1 in response to an elastic force of the second elastic member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the second elastic member <NUM> is a compression spring, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly <NUM> further comprises a third elastic member <NUM> configured to provide an elastic force to the locking member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), and the locking member <NUM> is configured to be held in the locking state J1 in response to the elastic force of the third elastic member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). In the present embodiment, the third elastic member <NUM> is a wire form spring, which is made of a specific material (such as a metal material), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Preferably, the locking member <NUM> comprises a first wing part 54a, a second wing part 54b and a main body part <NUM> connected between the first wing part 54a and the second wing part 54b (as shown in <FIG>). The main body part <NUM> corresponds to the through hole <NUM> of the connecting member <NUM>. The first wing part 54a and the second wing part 54b are bent at a predetermined angle relative to the main body part <NUM>. When the locking member <NUM> is held in the locking state J1 by the elastic force of the third elastic member <NUM>, the first wing part 54a and the second wing part 54b are configured to respectively abut against outer edge walls surrounding the through hole <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

Preferably, the main body part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> has a first side and a second side opposite to each other. The third elastic member <NUM> is configured to apply an elastic force to the first side of the main body part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). When the second rail <NUM> is located relative to the first rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R, the second side of the main body part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> corresponds to the opening H of the first rail <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). In addition, the main body part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> has the locking section <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, when a user applies a force F to the operating member <NUM> to move the operating member <NUM> from the initial position K1 (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) to a non-initial position K2 (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), the operating member <NUM> is configured to drive the driving member <NUM> to linearly move to further drive the locking member <NUM> to move in order unlock the second rail <NUM> relative to the first rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R, such that the second rail <NUM> is able to move away from the predetermined position R relative to the first rail <NUM> along a first direction D1.

Furthermore, when the force F is applied to the operating member <NUM> to move the operating member <NUM> from the initial position K1 to the non-initial position K2, the operating member <NUM> is configured to drive the driving member <NUM> to move (such as linearly move) relative to the second rail <NUM> from the first driving position M1 (as shown in <FIG>) to a second driving position M2 (as shown in <FIG>), such that the driving member <NUM> is configured to drive the locking member <NUM> to switch from the locking state J1 (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) to an unlocking state J2 (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). As such, the locking section <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> and the blocking feature <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> no longer block each other (as shown in <FIG>), so as to unlock the second rail <NUM> relative to the first rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R.

Preferably, one of the operating member <NUM> and the driving member <NUM> has a first structure <NUM>, and the other one of the operating member <NUM> and the driving member <NUM> has a second structure <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). The first structure <NUM> and the second structure <NUM> can be a combination of two inclined surfaces, a combination of an inclined surface and a curved surface, or a combination of a curved surface and an inclined surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Preferably, one of the driving member <NUM> and the locking member <NUM> has a first predetermined feature <NUM>, and the other one of the driving member <NUM> and the locking member <NUM> has a second predetermined feature <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). The first predetermined feature <NUM> and the second predetermined feature <NUM> can be a combination of two inclined surfaces, a combination of an inclined surface and a curved surface, or a combination of a curved surface and an inclined surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the force F is applied to the operating member <NUM> to move the operating member <NUM> from the initial position K1 (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) to the non-initial position K2 (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), the operating member <NUM> is configured to drive the driving member <NUM> to linearly move along a first predetermined direction A1 from the first driving position M1 (as shown in <FIG>) to a second driving position M2 (as shown in <FIG>) through contact between the first structure <NUM> and the second structure <NUM>, such that the driving member <NUM> is configured to further drive the locking member <NUM> to transversely move (such as transversely displace or shift) along a second predetermined direction A2 (as shown in <FIG>) to switch the locking member <NUM> from the locking state J1 (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) to the unlocking state J2 (as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) through contact between the first predetermined feature <NUM> and the second predetermined feature <NUM>. As such, the locking section <NUM> of the main body part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> and the blocking feature <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> no longer block each other (as shown in <FIG>, the locking section <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> and the blocking feature <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> are not aligned with each other) in order to unlock the second rail <NUM> relative to the first rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R, such that the second rail <NUM> is able to longitudinally move relative to the first rail <NUM> from the predetermined position R along the first direction D1.

A linear moving direction of the driving member <NUM> is substantially identical to a moving direction of the second rail <NUM> relative to the first rail <NUM>. For example, the linear moving direction of the driving member <NUM> and the moving direction of the second rail <NUM> are identical to the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, when the operating member <NUM> is located at the initial position K1 in response to the elastic force of the first elastic member <NUM>, an operating part 26a of the operating member <NUM> is extended out of the space S of the connecting member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). Accordingly, the user can know that the second rail <NUM> is locked at the predetermined position R. In other words, the user can know that it is required to apply the force F to the operating part 26a of the operating member <NUM> in order to unlock the second rail <NUM> at the predetermined position R.

Preferably, when the operating member <NUM> is located at the non-initial position K2, the operating part 26a of the operating member <NUM> is located inside the space S of the connecting member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). Accordingly, the user can know that the second rail <NUM> is unlocked at the predetermined position R.

A moving direction of the operating member <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to the linear moving direction of the driving member <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). For example, the moving direction of the operating member <NUM> is the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rail), and the linear moving direction of the driving member <NUM> is the longitudinal direction (or the length direction of the slide rail).

Preferably, the moving direction of the operating member <NUM>, the moving direction of the driving member <NUM> and the moving direction of the locking member <NUM> are substantially perpendicular to each other (as shown in <FIG>). For example, the moving direction the operating member <NUM> is the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rail), the linear moving direction of the driving member <NUM> is the longitudinal direction (or the length direction of the slide rail), and the moving direction of the locking member <NUM> is the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rail).

Preferably, one of the connecting member <NUM> and the driving member <NUM> comprises a first limiting feature <NUM>, and the other one of the connecting member <NUM> and the driving member <NUM> comprises a second limiting feature <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). The driving member <NUM> is configured to move relative to the connecting member <NUM> within a limited range through interaction between first limiting feature <NUM> and the second limiting feature <NUM>. In the present embodiment, one of the first limiting feature <NUM> and the second limiting feature <NUM> is a protruded post, and the other one of the first limiting feature <NUM> and the second limiting feature <NUM> is an elongated hole (or slot). The protruded post passes through a portion of the elongated hole (or slot).

Preferably, the connecting member <NUM> further comprises at least one guiding feature, such as a first guiding feature 70a and a second guiding feature 70b, and a portion of the driving member <NUM> is configured to be supported between the first guiding feature 70a and the second guiding feature 70b (as shown in <FIG>), so as to improve stability of the driving member <NUM> when moving along a linear path (or longitudinal path). In the present embodiment, the first guiding feature 70a and the second guiding feature 70b are protrusions, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the locking member <NUM> is disengaged from the blocking feature <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), the second rail <NUM> is able to longitudinally move away from the predetermined position R relative to the first rail <NUM> along the first direction D1, such that the second rail <NUM> is able to be located at another predetermined position E (such as an extended position as shown in <FIG>).

Moreover, when the second rail <NUM> is located at the predetermined position E and when the user stops applying the force F to the operating member <NUM>, the first elastic part 44a of the first elastic member <NUM> no longer abuts against the predetermined portion <NUM> of the first rail <NUM>, such that the second elastic part 44b of the first elastic member <NUM> no longer provides the elastic force to the operating member <NUM>, thus the operating member <NUM> stays at the non-initial position K2. Furthermore, when the second rail <NUM> is longitudinally moved from the predetermined position E along a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1 to return to the predetermined position R, the first elastic part 44a of the first elastic member <NUM> abuts against the predetermined portion <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> again, such that the second elastic part 44b of the first elastic member <NUM> is configured to provide the elastic force to the operating member <NUM> again, in order to drive the operating member <NUM> to return to the initial position K1 from the non-initial position K2 (as shown in <FIG>).

Claim 1:
A slide rail assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a first rail (<NUM>);
a second rail (<NUM>) movable relative to the first rail (<NUM>);
a locking member (<NUM>) configured to lock the second rail (<NUM>) relative to the first rail (<NUM>) at a predetermined position;
a driving member (<NUM>) movable relative to the second rail (<NUM>) ; and
an operating member (<NUM>);
wherein when a force is applied to the operating member (<NUM>) to move the operating member (<NUM>) from an initial position to a non-initial position, the operating member (<NUM>) is configured to drive the driving member (<NUM>) to linearly move to further drive the locking member (<NUM>) to move, in order to unlock the second rail (<NUM>) relative to the first rail (<NUM>) at the predetermined position;
characterized in that a linear moving direction of the driving member (<NUM>) is substantially identical to a moving direction of the second rail (<NUM>) relative to the first rail (<NUM>), and a moving direction of the operating member (<NUM>) is substantially perpendicular to the linear moving direction of the driving member (<NUM>).