Patent ID: 12220055

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure (s) being described. The members of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. Also, if not specified, the term “connect” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Thus, if a first device is connected to a second device, that connection may be through a direct mechanical connection, or through an indirect mechanical connection via other devices and connections.

As shown inFIG.1, a slide rail assembly20can be a multi-section rail assembly. In this embodiment, the slide rail assembly20can be a four-section rail assembly. Specifically, the slide rail assembly20includes a supporting frame22, a first rail24, a second rail26and a third rail28. The second rail26is movably mounted between the first rail24and the third rail28. For example, the first rail24can be an outer rail. The second rail26can be a middle rail. The third rail28can be an inner rail. The supporting frame22can be a fourth rail, which is used as a reinforced rail or a fixed rail. The supporting frame22, the first rail24, the second rail26and the third rail28can move relative to one another longitudinally. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the slide rail assembly can be a five-section rail assembly which includes an additional rail movably mounted on the supporting frame or the third rail.

More specifically, the supporting frame22includes a front portion22aand a rear portion22b. The first rail24includes a front portion24aand a rear portion24b. The second rail26includes a front portion26aand a rear portion26b. The third rail28includes a front portion28aand a rear portion28b.

When the slide rail assembly20is in an extended state, e.g., a fully extended state, the first rail24is located at a first predetermined position M1relative to the supporting frame22, the second rail26is located at an extended position E relative to the first rail24, the third rail28is located at an opened position K relative to the second rail26and a rear rail section r of the third rail28is overlapped with a front rail section f of the first rail24, such that the front rail section f of the first rail24and the rear rail section r of the third rail28can support each other for enhancing a structural strength of the slide rail assembly20. Preferably, when the slide rail assembly20is in the extended state, the front portion24aof the first rail24extends beyond the front portion22aof the supporting frame22along an opening direction D1, the front portion26aof the second rail26extends beyond the front portion24aof the first rail24along the opening direction D1, the front portion28aof the third rail28extends beyond the front portion26aof the second rail26along the opening direction D1. More preferably, when the slide rail assembly20is in the extended state, the front portion26aof the second rail26extends beyond the rear portion28bof the third rail28along the opening direction D1.

It should be noticed that, in this embodiment, a longitudinal direction of the rail, i.e., a length direction or a moving direction of rail, can be parallel to an X axis. A transverse direction of the rail, i.e., a lateral direction of the rail, can be parallel to a Y axis. A vertical direction of the rail, i.e., a height direction of the rail, can be parallel to a Z axis.

As shown inFIG.2andFIG.3, the supporting frame22further includes a first wall30a, a second wall30band a longitudinal wall32connected between the first wall30aand the second wall30bof the supporting frame22. The first wall30a, the second wall30band the longitudinal wall32of the supporting frame22cooperatively define a supporting channel34of the supporting frame22. The supporting channel34is configured to at least partially accommodate the first rail24. A blocking structure36and a positioning structure38are arranged on the supporting frame22.

Preferably, the supporting frame22further includes a front restraining feature40and a rear restraining feature42. The front restraining feature40and the rear restraining feature42are configured to restrain a travel distance of the first rail24. For example, the front restraining feature40and the rear restraining feature42can be protruding walls or protruding portions. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Besides, the blocking structure36and the positioning structure38are located between the front restraining feature40and the rear restraining feature42. In this embodiment, the front restraining feature40, the blocking structure36, the positioning feature38and the rear restraining feature42can be sequentially arranged on the longitudinal wall32of the supporting frame22from front to rear.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further includes an auxiliary resilient seat44arranged on the supporting frame22. The auxiliary resilient seat44includes a first fixing portion46a, a second fixing portion46band a middle portion48. The first fixing portion46aand the second fixing portion46bare connected to the longitudinal wall32of the supporting frame22. The middle portion48is located between the first fixing portion46aand the second fixing portion46b. The middle portion48includes the blocking structure36, a longitudinal section50and a guiding section52. The longitudinal section50is located between the blocking structure36and the guiding section52. For example, the blocking structure36can be a blocking wall or an erecting wall, and the guiding section52can be an inclined surface or an arc surface. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

Preferably, for example, the positioning feature38can be formed in a column shape or a protrusion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.2andFIG.4, the first rail24is at least partially movably mounted inside the supporting channel34of the supporting frame22and movable relative to the supporting frame22. The first rail24further includes a first wall54a, a second wall54band a longitudinal wall56connected between the first wall54aand the second wall54bof the first rail24. The first wall54a, the second wall54band the longitudinal wall56of the first rail24cooperatively define a first channel58of the first rail24. The first channel58is configured to at least partially accommodate the second rail26. The first rail24further includes a first side L1and a second side L2opposite to the first side L1. The first side L1of the first rail24is located adjacent to the supporting frame22. The second side L2of the first rail24is located adjacent to the second rail26. A blocking feature60and a positioning feature62are arranged on the first rail24. In this embodiment, a positioning member61can be arranged on the first rail24and connected, e.g., fixedly connected, to the first side L1of the first rail24. The positioning member61can include the positioning feature62. The positioning feature62can extend from the first side L1of the first rail24to the second side L2of the first rail24through an auxiliary hole63on the first rail24. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the positioning feature can be a protrusion arranged on the second side of the first rail.

The slide rail assembly20further includes a first working member64and a second working member66. The first working member64is movably mounted on the first rail24and switchable between a first state S1and a second state S2relative to the first rail24. The second working member66is movably mounted on the first rail24and switchable between a third state S3and a fourth state S4relative to the first rail24. In this embodiment, the first working member64and the second working member66can be respectively pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall56of the first rail24by a first pivoting member68and a second pivoting member70and located at the second side L2of the first rail24. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Preferably, the first rail24further includes an opening69communicated with the first side L1and the second side L2of the first rail24. The first working member64includes a blocking portion71extending to the first side L1of the first rail24through the opening69. The blocking portion71is configured to cooperate with the blocking structure36of the supporting frame22. The second working member66includes a positioning portion73configured to cooperate with the positioning structure38of the supporting frame22. For example, the positioning portion73can be an engaging hook. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

Preferably, the first working member64further includes a releasing portion75configured to cooperate with the second rail26.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further includes a first resilient member72and a second resilient member74respectively configured to provide resilient forces to the first working member64and the second working member66to drive the first working member64and the second working member66to move to the first state S1and the third state S3relative to the first rail24.

Preferably, a first auxiliary feature76and a supporting feature78are arranged on the first rail24. The blocking feature60, the positioning feature62, the first auxiliary feature76, the first working member64and the second working member66are sequentially arranged on the longitudinal wall56of the first rail24from front to rear.

Preferably, the first rail24further includes a front restraining portion80and a rear restraining portion respectively configured to cooperate with the front restraining feature40and the rear restraining feature42of the supporting frame22for restraining a travel distance of the first rail24relative to the supporting frame22. In this embodiment, the front restraining portion80can be a protruding block located on the first side S1of the first rail24and facing toward the longitudinal wall32of the supporting frame22, and the front restraining portion80can stretch into a longitudinal space82of the longitudinal wall32of the supporting frame22, e.g., a longitudinal slot of the longitudinal wall32of the supporting frame22, so as to be located at a position corresponding to the front restraining feature40. The rear restraining portion can be the rear portion24b. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further includes a resilient seat84arranged on the first rail24. The resilient seat84includes a first connecting portion86a, a second connecting portion86band a supporting structure88. The first connecting portion86aand the second connecting portion86bare connected to the longitudinal wall56of the first rail24. The supporting structure88is located between the first connecting portion86aand the second connecting portion86b. The supporting structure88includes the blocking feature60, a longitudinal portion90and a guiding portion92. The longitudinal portion90is located between the blocking feature60and the guiding portion92. For example, the blocking feature60can be a blocking wall or an erecting wall, and the guiding portion92can be an inclined surface or an arc surface. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown inFIG.2,FIG.5andFIG.6, the second rail26is movable relative to the first rail24. The second rail26further includes a first wall94a, a second wall94band a longitudinal wall96connected between the first wall94aand the second wall94bof the second rail26. The first wall94a, the second wall94band the longitudinal wall96of the second rail26cooperatively define a second channel98of the second rail26. The second channel98is configured to at least partially accommodate the third rail28. The second rail26further includes a first side L1and a second side L2opposite to the first side L1. The first side L1of the second rail26is located adjacent to the first rail24. The second side L2of the second rail26is located adjacent to the third rail28.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further includes a third working member100and a fourth working member102. The third working member100is movably mounted on the second rail26and switchable between a fifth state S5and a sixth state S6relative to the second rail26. The fourth working member102is movably mounted on the second rail26and switchable between a seventh state S7and a eighth state S8relative to the second rail26. In this embodiment, the third working member100and the fourth working member102can be respectively pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall96of the second rail26by a first shaft104and a second shaft106and located at the second side L2of the second rail26. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further includes a first resilient feature105and a second resilient feature107respectively configured to provide resilient forces to the third working member100and the fourth working member102for driving the third working member100and the fourth working member102to move to the fifth state S5and the seventh state S7relative to the second rail26.

Preferably, the second rail26further includes at least one hole arranged on the longitudinal wall96of the second rail26and communicated with the first side L1and the second side L2of the second rail26. In this embodiment, the second rail26can include a first hole H1and a second hole H2. Furthermore, the third working member100includes a first blocking section108stretching into the first hole H1. The first blocking section108faces toward the longitudinal wall56of the first rail24and is configured to cooperate with the blocking feature60or the positioning feature62of the first rail24. The fourth working member102includes a second blocking section110stretching into the second hole H2. The second blocking section110faces toward the longitudinal wall56of the first rail24and is configured to cooperate with the positioning feature62of the first rail24. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, there can be only one hole arranged on the longitudinal wall of the second rail for the first blocking section and the second blocking section to pass therethrough.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further includes an operating member112movably mounted on the second rail26and configured to operate one of the third working member100and the fourth working member102.

Preferably, the operating member112is mounted on the longitudinal wall96of the second rail26and located at the first side L1of the second rail26. The operating member112includes an operating portion114, a driving portion116and an extending portion118connected between the operating portion114and the driving portion116. The operating portion114is connected to a front end118aof the extending portion118. The operating portion114is located adjacent to the front portion26aof the second rail26. The driving portion116is connected to a rear end118bof the extending portion118. The driving portion116is located adjacent to the rear portion26bof the second rail26. Besides, the third working member100and the fourth working member102are located adjacent to the rear portion26bof the second rail26.

Preferably, the second rail26further includes a third hole H3arranged on the longitudinal wall96of the second rail26. The driving portion116of the operating member112extends from the first side L1to the second side L2of the second rail26through the third hole H3and is located adjacent to the third working member100.

Preferably, the second rail26further includes a fourth hole H4arranged on the longitudinal wall96of the second rail26. The operating portion114of the operating member112is exposed on the second side L2of the second rail26via the fourth hole H4.

Preferably, the second rail26and the operating member112have corresponding restraining features cooperating with each other for restraining a travel distance of the operating member112relative to the second rail26. In this embodiment, at least one elongated hole120can be arranged on the extending portion118of the operating member112. The second rail26can further include at least one connecting member122connected to the longitudinal wall96of the second rail26and passing through a portion of the at least one elongated hole120. Furthermore, the second rail26can further include at least one extending hole111. At least one connecting section113can be arranged on the extending portion118of the operating member112and passes through a portion of the at least one extending hole111. The travel distance of the operating member112relative to the second rail26can be restrained by a cooperation of the at least one elongated hole120and the at least one connecting member122and a cooperation of the at least one extending hole111and the at least one connecting section113. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, there can be only the elongated hole and the at least one connecting member cooperating with each other. Alternatively, in another embodiment, there can be only the extending hole and the connecting section cooperating with each other.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.2andFIG.6, a second auxiliary feature123is arranged on the operating member112and configured to cooperate with the first auxiliary feature76of the first rail24. For example, the first auxiliary feature76and the second auxiliary feature123can be protrusions. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Besides, as shown inFIG.6, the second auxiliary feature123is arranged adjacent to the rear end118bof the extending portion118of the operating member112, and the second auxiliary feature123and the driving portion116are located at two opposite sides of the extending portion118of the operating member112.

When the operating member112is located at a first operated position P1relative to the second rail26as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6, the third working member100and the fourth working member102are respectively in the fifth state S3and the seventh state S7relative to the second rail26.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.5, the third working member100further includes an abutting portion124and an actuating portion126. The first shaft104is located between the abutting portion124and the actuating portion126. The abutting portion124is located at a position corresponding to the driving portion116of the operating member112and for abutting against the driving portion116of the operating member112. The first blocking section108is located adjacent to the actuating portion126. The first blocking section108extends to the first side L1of the second rail26. The first resilient feature105is configured to provide the resilient force to the third working member100for retaining the third working member100in the fifth state S5.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.5, the fourth working member102includes an abutting section128and an actuating section130. The second shaft106is located between the abutting section128and the actuating section130. The second blocking section110is located adjacent to the abutting section128. The second blocking section110extends to the first side L1of the second rail26. The second resilient feature107is configured to provide the resilient force to the fourth working member102for retaining the fourth working member102in the seventh state S7.

As shown inFIG.5toFIG.8, the user can apply a force F onto the operating member112, e.g., the operating portion114of the operating member112, to drive the operating member112to move relative to the second rail26from the first operated position P1to a second operated position P2. During the aforementioned process, the operating member112drives the third working member100to move, e.g., pivot, relative to the second rail26from the fifth state S5as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6to the sixth state S6as shown inFIG.7andFIG.8by an abutment of the driving portion116and the abutting portion124of the third working member100. Preferably, when the third working member100moves from the fifth state S5as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6to the sixth state S6as shown inFIG.7andFIG.8, the third working member100drives the fourth working member102to move, e.g., pivot, relative to the second rail26from the seventh state S7as shown inFIG.5andFIG.6to the eighth state S8as shown inFIG.7andFIG.8by an abutment of the actuating portion126and the abutting section128of the fourth working member102. In other words, in this embodiment, the third working member100and the fourth working member102are configured to move synchronously, and the third working member100and the fourth working member102are respectively configured to be driven by the operating member112and the third working member100. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the third working member and the fourth working member are configured to move synchronously, and the third working member and the fourth working member are respectively configured to be driven by the fourth working member and the operating member. Alternatively, the third working member and the fourth working member are configured to move synchronously, and the third working member and the fourth working member are configured to be driven by two driving portions of the operating member respectively. Alternatively, the slide rail assembly further includes an auxiliary operating member, and the third working member and the fourth working member are configured to be driven by the operating member and the auxiliary operating member respectively and to move asynchronously.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.7andFIG.8, when the operating member112is located at the second operated position P2, the third working member100and the fourth working member102are respectively retained in the sixth state S6and the eighth state S8by an abutment of the operating member112and the third working member100and an abutment of the third working member100and the fourth working member102.

As shown inFIG.9, the slide rail assembly20is used in a limited environment and located in the extended state. As mentioned above, when the slide rail assembly20is located in the extended state, the first rail24is located at the first predetermined position M1relative to the supporting frame22, the second rail26is located at the extended position E relative to the first rail24, and the third rail28is located at the opened position K1relative to the second rail26. At this moment, the slide rail assembly20has a first length J1, and a front portion28aof the third rail28is spaced apart from an object132, e.g., a door or an obstruction, by a first distance X1. The first distance X1is too short to detach the third rail28from the second rail26, e.g., the second channel98of the second rail26, along the opening direction D1.

Specifically, when the first rail24is located at the first predetermined position M1relative to the supporting frame22as shown inFIG.9, the blocking structure36of the supporting frame22blocks the blocking portion71of the first working member64in the first state S1for preventing the first rail24from moving along a retracting direction D2from the first predetermined position M1. Besides, at this moment, the operating member112is located at the first operated position P1, similarly toFIG.5andFIG.6. Therefore, when the second rail26is located at the extended position E relative to the first rail24, the blocking feature60of the first rail24blocks the first blocking section108of the third working member100in the fifth state S5for preventing the second rail26from moving along the retracting direction D2from the extended position E, and the second blocking section110of the fourth working member102is located adjacent to the guiding portion92of the resilient seat84of the first rail24. It should be noticed that when the third working member100and the fourth working member102are respectively in the fifth state S5and the seventh state S7, the first blocking section108of the third working member100and the second blocking section110of the fourth working member102are located at positions where the first blocking section108of the third working member100and the second blocking section110of the fourth working member102are aligned with the positioning feature62of the first rail24along the retracting direction D2or the opening direction D1.

As shown inFIG.10, when the user applies the force F onto the operating member112, e.g., the operating portion114of the operating member112, to drive the operating member112to move from the first operated position P1to the second operated position P2, the operating member112drives the third working member100by the driving portion116to move from the fifth state S5to the sixth state S6, such that the blocking feature60cannot block the first blocking section108of the third working member100in the sixth state S6for allowing the second rail26to move relative to the first rail24along the retracting direction D2from the extended position E.

Furthermore, when the operating member112is located at the second operated position P2as shown inFIG.10, the third working member100and the fourth working member102are respectively retained in the sixth state S6and the eighth state S8, such that the first resilient feature105and the second resilient feature107are resiliently deformed to generate the resilient forces, similarly toFIG.7. Besides, when the third working member100and the fourth working member102are respectively in the sixth state S6and the eighth state S8, the first blocking section108of the third working member100and the second blocking section110of the fourth working member102are dislocated from the positions where the first blocking section108of the third working member100and the second blocking section110of the fourth working member102are aligned with the positioning feature62of the first rail24along the retracting direction D2or the opening direction D1. Moreover, as shown inFIG.10, when the second rail26is located at the extended position E relative to the first rail24, the second auxiliary feature123of the operating member112is separated away from the first auxiliary feature76of the first rail24by a distance.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.10andFIG.11, the positioning feature62includes a front portion62aand a rear portion62b. The first blocking section108of the third working member100and the rear portion62bof the positioning feature62respectively include a first guiding feature109and a second guiding feature115. For example, the first guiding feature109and a second guiding feature115can be inclined surfaces or arc surfaces.

When the second rail26moves along the retracting direction D2for a predetermined distance, e.g., to a position as shown inFIG.11, the first auxiliary feature76of the first rail24abuts against the second auxiliary feature123of the operating member112to drive the operating member112to move from the second operated position P2to the first operated position P1, such that the third working member100is driven to move from the sixth state S6to the fifth state S5by the first resilient feature105, and the fourth working member102is driven to move from the eighth state S8to the seventh state S7by the second resilient feature107. Preferably, one of the first auxiliary feature76and the second auxiliary feature123can include another guiding surface, e.g., an inclined surface or an arc surface, facing toward the other one of the first auxiliary feature76and the second auxiliary feature123to facilitate the second auxiliary feature123to pass over the first auxiliary feature76along the retracting direction D2when the second rail26moves relative to the first rail24along the retracting direction D2.

When the first rail24is located at the first predetermined position M1relative to the supporting frame22, the second rail26can be moved along the retracting direction D2from the extended position E to abut against the releasing portion75of the first working member64by the rear portion26bfor driving the first working member64to move from the first state S1as shown inFIG.12to the second state S2as shown inFIG.13, such that the blocking structure36of the supporting frame22does not block the blocking portion71of the first working member in the second state S2for allowing the first rail24to move along the retracting direction D2from the first predetermined position M1to a second predetermined position M2.

As shown inFIG.14, when the first rail24is located at the second predetermined position M2relative to the supporting frame22, the second working member66, e.g., the positioning portion73of the second working member66, in the third state S3can engage with the positioning structure38of the supporting frame22for retaining the first rail24at the second predetermined position M2, so as to prevent the first rail24from moving along the opening direction D1or the retracting direction D2from the second predetermined position M2. When the first rail24is located at the second predetermined position M2, the slide rail assembly20has a second length J2 less than the first length J1, such that the front portion28aof the third rail28is spaced apart from the object132by a second distance X2greater than the first distance X1, which facilitates detachment of the third rail28from the second rail26, e.g., the second channel98of the second rail26, along the opening direction D1.

Preferably, when the first rail24is located at the second predetermined position M2relative to the supporting frame22, the rear restraining feature42of the supporting frame22can abut against the rear portion24bof the first rail24for stopping the first rail24. The first rail24further includes a restraining member133configured to abut against the rear porting26bof the second rail26for stopping the second rail26. When the restraining member133abuts against the rear porting26bof the second rail26, the second rail26is fully folded relative to the first rail24.

As shown inFIG.15andFIG.16, the third rail28further includes a first wall29a, a second wall29band a longitudinal wall31connected between the first wall29aand the second wall29bof the third rail28. When the second rail26is located at the second predetermined position M2relative to the supporting frame22and the second rail26is fully folded relative to the first rail24, the third rail28is movable relative to the first rail24along the retracting direction D2to a retracted position R. During a movement of the third rail28relative to the first rail24along the retracting direction D2to the retracted position R, a portion of the third rail28, e.g., the rear portion28of the third rail28, can abut against an auxiliary portion134, which is shown inFIG.15, of the second working member66in the third state S3for driving the second working member66to pivot by an angle to move from the third state S3as shown inFIG.15to the fourth state S4as shown inFIG.16. When the third rail28is located at the retracted position R relative to the first rail24, the second wall29bof the third rail28supports the second working member66for retaining the second working member66in the fourth state S4, such that the positioning portion73of the second working member66is not engaged with the positioning structure38of the supporting frame22for allowing the first rail24to move along the opening direction D1from the second predetermined position M2.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.16, when the third rail28is located at the retracted position R relative to the first rail24, the supporting feature78of the first rail24is configured to support a portion of the second wall29bof the third rail28adjacent to a rear rail section of the third rail28for enhancing a structural strength of the slide rail assembly20.

Preferably, as shown inFIG.16, the third rail28further includes a first synchronizing feature136and a second synchronizing feature138. During a movement of the third rail28along the opening direction D1from the retracted position R, the first synchronizing feature136of the third rail28can abut against a first corresponding feature140of the first working member64for driving the third rail28and the first rail24to move synchronously along the opening direction D1until the first rail24moves to the first predetermined position M1. Besides, the second synchronizing feature138of the third rail28can abut against a second corresponding feature142of the third working member100for driving the third rail28and the second rail26to be moved synchronously along the opening direction D1until the second rail26moves to the extended position E.

As shown inFIG.17, the first wall30a, the second wall30band the longitudinal wall32of the supporting frame22cooperatively define the supporting channel34of the supporting frame22. Each of the first wall30aand the second wall30bhas a first supporting portion144and a second supporting portion146bent from the first supporting portion144. Each of the longitudinal wall32and the first supporting portions144of the supporting frame22has a first predetermined thickness T1. Each of the second supporting portions146has a second predetermined thickness T2less than the first predetermined thickness T1. The first predetermined thickness T1of the first supporting portion144extends along the Z axis. The first predetermined thickness T1of the longitudinal wall32and the second predetermined thickness T2of the second supporting portion146extend along the Y axis.

Preferably, each of the second supporting portions146of the supporting frame22includes a first surface148. The longitudinal wall31of the third rail28includes a second surface150. The first surfaces148and the second surface150are not coplanar. For example, the first surfaces148can be located on a first horizontal plane V1, and the second surface150can be located on a second horizontal plane V2protruding out of the first horizontal plane V1, which facilitates mounting a carried object, which is not shown in the figures, on the third rail28. In other words, the first surfaces148of the supporting frame22do not cause any interference with a mounting operation of the carried object on the third rail28.

The first wall54a, the second wall54band the longitudinal wall56of the first rail24cooperatively define the first channel58of the first rail24. The first wall30a, the second wall30band the longitudinal wall32of the supporting frame22are configured to at least partially cover the first wall54a, the second wall54band the longitudinal wall56of the first rail24to support the first rail24for enhancing a supporting capability of the first rail24.

Preferably, the first wall94a, the second wall94band the longitudinal wall96of the second rail26cooperatively define the second channel98of the second rail26.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further includes a first facilitating device152movably mounted between the first rail24and the second rail26for ensuring a smooth sliding movement of the second rail26relative to the first rail24. The first facilitating device152at least includes a first roller154and a second roller156. The first roller154is supported between the first wall54aof the first rail24and the first wall94aof the second rail26. The second roller156is supported between the second wall54bof the first rail24and the second wall94bof the second rail26.

Preferably, the slide rail assembly20further includes a second facilitating device158movably mounted between the second rail26and the third rail28for ensuring a smooth sliding movement of the third rail28relative to the second rail26. The second facilitating device158at least includes a third roller160and a fourth roller162. The third roller160is supported between the first wall94aof the second rail26and the first wall29aof the third rail28. The fourth roller162is supported between the second wall94bof the second rail26and the second wall29bof the third rail28.

From the above, the slide rail assembly20of the present invention has the following feature of that when the slide rail assembly20is in the extended state, the first rail24is located at the first predetermined position M1relative to the supporting frame22, the second rail26is located at the extended position E relative to the first rail24, and the third rail28is located at the opened position K relative to the second rail26and the rear rail section r of the third rail28is overlapped with the front rail section f of the first rail24, such that the front rail section f of the first rail24and the rear rail section r of the third rail28can support each other for enhancing the structural strength of the slide rail assembly20.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.