Patent Description:
US patent number <CIT> discloses a three-section slide rail assembly, which includes a first rail, a second rail and a third rail. The first rail has a first longitudinal body extended with a pair of first arms from both sides of the first longitudinal body. A first passage is defined by the pair of first arms and the first longitudinal body. Each of the first arms has a first ball raceway located in the first passage. The second rail is movable relative to the first passage of the first rail. The second rail has a second longitudinal body extended with a pair of second arms from both sides of the second longitudinal body. A second passage is defined by the pair of second arms and the second longitudinal body. Each of the second arms has a first arm section and a second arm section. The first arm section has a second inner ball raceway, and the second arm section has a second outer ball raceway. The third rail is movable relative to the second passage of the second rail. The third rail has a third longitudinal body extended with a pair of longitudinal supporting structures from both sides of the third longitudinal body. Each of the supporting structures comprises a first supporting arm and a second supporting arm. One of the first supporting arm and the second supporting arm has a third ball raceway facing toward the second inner ball raceway of the second rail.

However, in order to meet diverse requirements of the market, it is important to develop various products.

<CIT> discloses a slide rail for a vehicle seat. The slide rail comprises a slide core, a slide shell and a plurality of steel balls. The lower end of the vertical folding partition of the slide core is an arc folding partition; a hook-shaped folding partition is bended along the corner of the arc folding partition; the corresponding place between the bottom of the slide shell and the arc folding partition of the slide core is provided with a groove-shaped folding partition; the arc folding partition of the slide core and the groove at the bottom of the slide shell form a lower steel ball passageway; an inward bending wall is inward bended along the vertical folding partition out of the slide shell; the inward bending wall and a groove-shaped folding partition of the slide core form an upper steel balls passageway; and the upper steel balls passageway and the lower steel balls passageway are internally provided with the steel balls.

<CIT> discloses a slide rail unit including a stationary rail, an intermediate rail to be assembled with the stationary rail through a plurality of balls, and a moving rail to be assembled with the intermediate rail through a plurality of balls. In the longitudinal direction, the intermediate rail can slide relative to the stationary rail, and the moving rail can slide relative to the intermediate rail. The intermediate rail is equipped, at its upper and lower ends, with an upper supporting portion and a lower supporting portion extending in the direction intersecting with the vertical directions in a section normal to the longitudinal direction. The lower supporting portion is equipped with a lower ball guide portion which is sectionally formed into a generally isosceles triangle shape having a bottom side arranged above and which has rolling grooves formed in the individual side portions for the balls. The upper supporting portion is equipped with an upper ball guide portion which is sectionally formed into a generally isosceles triangle shape having a bottom side arranged below and which has rolling grooves formed in the individual side portions for the balls. With the lower supporting portion, there is assembled the stationary rail, which is formed into the generally C-shaped section having the rolling grooves for the balls. With the upper supporting portion, there is assembled the moving rail, which is formed into the generally C-shaped section having the rolling grooves for the balls and which has a flattened upper face. The moving rail is so arranged that it is stacked on the stationary rail.

This in mind, the present invention aims at providing a slide rail assembly and a slide rail thereof.

This is achieved by a slide rail assembly according to claim <NUM> and a slide rail 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 slide assisting device <NUM> and a second rail <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the first rail <NUM> is an outer rail, and the second rail <NUM> is an inner rail.

The first rail <NUM> comprises a first wall 28a, a second wall 28b and a first middle wall <NUM> connected between the first wall 28a and the second wall 28b. A passage <NUM> is defined by the first wall 28a, the second wall 28b and the first middle wall <NUM>.

The slide assisting device <NUM> is arranged in the passage <NUM> of the first rail <NUM>. The slide assisting device <NUM> comprises a first rolling member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first rolling member <NUM> is a ball, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the slide assisting device <NUM> further comprises a retainer <NUM> configured to mount the first rolling member <NUM>.

The second rail <NUM> is movable relative to the first rail <NUM>, and the second rail <NUM> comprises a first side wall 36a, a second side wall 36b and a second middle wall <NUM> connected between the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b.

The first middle wall <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> is formed with a first ball groove <NUM>, and the second rail <NUM> further comprises a first extension wall <NUM>. The first extension wall <NUM> comprises a first extension section <NUM>, a second extension section <NUM> and a first middle section <NUM> connected between the first extension section <NUM> and the second extension section <NUM>. The first extension section <NUM> is extended from the first side wall 36a of the second rail <NUM>. One end 46a of the second extension section <NUM> is extended toward the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM>. The first middle section <NUM> is formed with a second ball groove <NUM>. The first rolling member <NUM> is located between the first ball groove <NUM> and the second ball groove <NUM>.

Preferably, the first wall 28a of the first rail <NUM> comprises a first supporting section K1 and a second supporting section K2 bent relative to the first supporting section K1. The second supporting section K2 is configured to hold the first side wall 36a of the second rail <NUM>, in order to prevent the second rail <NUM> from being detached from the passage <NUM> of the first rail <NUM>.

The first extension section <NUM> is reversely folded from the first side wall 36a of the second rail <NUM>, and the first extension section <NUM> is configured to abut against the first side wall 36a of the second rail <NUM>. The first middle section <NUM> is adjacent to the first side wall 36a of the second rail <NUM>. For example, a portion of the first middle section <NUM> is configured to abut against the first side wall 36a of the second rail <NUM>. The end 46a of the second extension section <NUM> is configured to abut against the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM>.

Preferably, the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM> has a first end part E1, and the first end part E1 is extended toward the second supporting section K2 of the first rail <NUM> along a first direction D1 and beyond a center position C1 of the first rolling member <NUM>.

Preferably, the first rail <NUM> further comprises a first arc part <NUM> bent relative to the first middle wall <NUM>. The first arc part <NUM> is formed with the first ball groove <NUM>, and the second ball groove <NUM> of the first middle section <NUM> of the second rail <NUM> has an arc contour. The first rolling member <NUM> is in contact between the first ball groove <NUM> and the arc contour of the second ball groove <NUM> of the first middle section <NUM>.

Preferably, the first middle wall <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> has a first surface S1 and a second surface S2 opposite to each other, and the first surface S1 faces toward the second rail <NUM>. The first arc part <NUM> comprises a first shoulder section 43a, a second shoulder section 43b and a valley section <NUM> located between the first shoulder section 43a and the second shoulder section 43b. The shoulder sections 43a, 43b are protruded or raised relative to the first surface S1 of the first middle wall <NUM>, so as to enhance structural strength of the first rail <NUM> (the first middle wall <NUM> of the first rail <NUM>), and further improve stability of the first rolling member <NUM> located between the first ball groove <NUM> and the second ball groove <NUM>.

Preferably, the slide assisting device <NUM> further comprises a second rolling member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the second rolling member <NUM> is a ball, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the retainer <NUM> is configured to mount the second rolling member <NUM>. The first middle wall <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> is further formed with a third ball groove <NUM>, and the second rail <NUM> further comprises a second extension wall <NUM>. The second extension wall <NUM> comprises a third extension section <NUM> , a fourth extension section <NUM> and a second middle section <NUM> connected between the third extension section <NUM> and the fourth extension section <NUM>. The third extension section <NUM> is extended from the second side wall 36b of the second rail <NUM>. One end 62a of the fourth extension section <NUM> is extended toward the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM>. The second middle section <NUM> is formed with a fourth ball groove <NUM>. The second rolling member <NUM> is located between the third ball groove <NUM> and the fourth ball groove <NUM>.

Preferably, the second wall 28b of the first rail <NUM> comprises a third supporting section K3 and a fourth supporting section K4 bent relative to the third supporting section K3. The fourth supporting section K4 is configured to hold the second side wall 36b of the second rail <NUM>, in order to prevent the second rail <NUM> from being detached from the passage <NUM> of the first rail <NUM>. The second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM> has a second end part E2 opposite to the first end part E1, and the second end part E2 is extended toward the fourth supporting section K4 of the first rail <NUM> along a second direction D2 and beyond a center position C2 of the second rolling member <NUM>. The second direction D2 is opposite to the first direction D1.

The third extension section <NUM> is reversely folded from the second side wall 36b of the second rail <NUM>, and the third extension section <NUM> is configured to abut against the second side wall 36b of the second rail <NUM>. The second middle section <NUM> is adjacent to the second side wall 36b of the second rail <NUM>. For example, a portion of the second middle section <NUM> is configured to abut against the second side wall 36b of the second rail <NUM>. The end 62a of the fourth extension section <NUM> is configured to abut against the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM>.

Preferably, the first rail <NUM> further comprises a second arc part <NUM> bent relative to the first middle wall <NUM>. The second arc part <NUM> is formed with the third ball groove <NUM>, and the fourth ball groove <NUM> of the second middle section <NUM> of the second rail <NUM> has an arc contour. The second rolling member <NUM> is in contact between the third ball groove <NUM> and the arc contour of the fourth ball groove <NUM> of the second middle section <NUM>.

Preferably, the second arc part <NUM> comprises a first shoulder section 53a, a second shoulder section 53b and a valley section <NUM> located between the first shoulder section 53a and the second shoulder section 53b. The shoulder sections 53a, 53b are protruded or raised relative to the first surface S1 of the first middle wall <NUM>, so as to enhance structural strength of the first rail <NUM> (the first middle wall <NUM> of the first rail <NUM>), and further improve stability of the second rolling member <NUM> located between the third ball groove <NUM> and the fourth ball groove <NUM>.

Moreover, the second rail <NUM> is configured to carry a carried object (not shown in figures), and the carried object is configured to apply forces F1, F2 to two sides of the second rail <NUM> due to gravity. When the first force F1 is applied to a position adjacent to the first end part E1 of the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM>, through extending the second extension section <NUM> toward the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM> (such as abutting against the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM>), entire structural strength or supporting strength of the second rail <NUM> (or the slide rail assembly <NUM>) can be improved; furthermore, through extending the first end part E1 of the second middle wall <NUM> beyond the center position C1 of the first rolling member <NUM> along the first direction D1, the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM> can be prevented from being deformed or damaged by the first force F1, such that the entire structural strength or supporting strength of the second rail <NUM> (or the slide rail assembly <NUM>) can be further improved; furthermore, through reversely folding the first extension section <NUM> from the first side wall 36a of the second rail <NUM> with the first extension section <NUM> abutting against the first side wall 36a of the second rail <NUM>, the entire structural strength or supporting strength of the second rail <NUM> (or the slide rail assembly <NUM>) is further improved; furthermore, through arranging the first arc part <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> to be bent relative to the first middle wall <NUM> for reinforcement, entire structural strength or supporting strength of the first rail <NUM> (or the slide rail assembly <NUM>) can be improved; furthermore, through arranging the first shoulder section 43a and the second shoulder section 43b of the first arc part <NUM> to be protruded or raised relative to the first surface S1 of the first middle wall <NUM>, the structural strength of the first rail <NUM> (the first middle wall <NUM> of the first rail <NUM>) can be improved, so as to further improve stability of the first rolling member <NUM> located between the first ball groove <NUM> and the second ball groove <NUM>.

Similarly, when the second force F2 is applied to a position adjacent to the second end part E2 of the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM>, through extending the fourth extension section <NUM> toward the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM> (such as abutting against the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM>), the entire structural strength or supporting strength of the second rail <NUM> (or the slide rail assembly <NUM>) can be improved; furthermore, through extending the second end part E2 of the second middle wall <NUM> beyond the center position C2 of the second rolling member <NUM> along the second direction D2, the second middle wall <NUM> of the second rail <NUM> can be prevented from being deformed or damaged by the second force F2, such that the entire structural strength or supporting strength of the second rail <NUM> (or the slide rail assembly <NUM>) can be further improved; furthermore, through reversely folding the third extension section <NUM> from the second side wall 36b of the second rail <NUM> with the third extension section <NUM><NUM> abutting against the second side wall 36b of the second rail <NUM>, the entire structural strength or supporting strength of the second rail <NUM> (or the slide rail assembly <NUM>) is further improved; furthermore, through arranging the second arc part <NUM> of the first rail <NUM> to be bent relative to the first middle wall <NUM> for reinforcement, the entire structural strength or supporting strength of the first rail <NUM> (or the slide rail assembly <NUM>) can be improved; furthermore, through arranging the first shoulder section 53a and the second shoulder section 53b of the second arc part <NUM> to be protruded or raised relative to the first surface S1 of the first middle wall <NUM>, the structural strength of the first rail <NUM> (the first middle wall <NUM> of the first rail <NUM>) can be improved, so as to further improve stability of the second rolling member <NUM> located between the third ball groove <NUM> and the fourth ball groove <NUM>.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a slide rail, such as a slide rail identical to the second rail <NUM> having the aforementioned structural configuration. The technical features of the slide rail can refer to structural configuration of the second rail <NUM> shown in <FIG> and related descriptions. For simplification, no further illustration is provided.

Claim 1:
A slide rail assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a first rail (<NUM>) comprising a first wall (28a), a second wall (28b) and a first middle wall (<NUM>) connected between the first wall (28a) and the second wall (28b), a passage (<NUM>) being defined by the first wall (28a), the second wall (28b) and the first middle wall (<NUM>);
a slide assisting device (<NUM>) arranged in the passage (<NUM>) of the first rail (<NUM>), and the slide assisting device (<NUM>) comprising a first rolling member (<NUM>); and
a second rail (<NUM>) movable relative to the first rail (<NUM>), the second rail (<NUM>) comprising a first side wall (36a), a second side wall (36b) and a second middle wall (<NUM>) connected between the first side wall (36a) and the second side wall (36b);
wherein the first middle wall (<NUM>) of the first rail (<NUM>) is formed with a first ball groove (<NUM>), the second rail (<NUM>) further comprises a first extension wall (<NUM>), the first extension wall (<NUM>) comprises a first extension section (<NUM>), a second extension section (<NUM>) and a first middle section (<NUM>) connected between the first extension section (<NUM>) and the second extension section (<NUM>), the first extension section (<NUM>) is extended from the first side wall (36a) of the second rail (<NUM>), the second extension section (<NUM>) is extended toward the second middle wall (<NUM>) of the second rail (<NUM>), and the first middle section (<NUM>) is formed with a second ball groove (<NUM>);
wherein the first rolling member (<NUM>) is located between the first ball groove (<NUM>) and the second ball groove (<NUM>);
characterized in that the first extension section (<NUM>) is reversely folded from the first side wall (36a) of the second rail (<NUM>) with the first extension section (<NUM>) abutting against the first side wall (36a) of the second rail (<NUM>), and the second extension section (<NUM>) is configured to abut against the second middle wall (<NUM>) of the second rail (<NUM>).