Slide rail assembly and slide rail kit thereof

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly, and more particularly, to a slide rail assembly capable of synchronously displacing two slide rails.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,782A discloses a telescopic slide rail assembly comprising an outer rail, a middle/intermediate rail and an inner rail/drawer section. The middle rail is arranged with a stop block, and the inner rail has a projection. As shown in FIGS. 3-5 of the prior art, when the inner rail is pulled in an opening direction, the inner rail can contact the resilient fingers of the stop block via its projection, so that the middle rail can be pulled out in the opening direction together with the inner rail.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 7 of the prior art, the ends of the resilient fingers are not connected to each other; that is, the two resilient fingers are designed to be open-ended with a gap therebetween. Therefore, as the ends of the resilient fingers are not connected to each other, the two resilient fingers can bend, warp or break over repeated opening and closing of the slide rails. This may result in the projection of the inner rail being unable to work collaboratively with the two resilient fingers, followed by the middle rail failing to be pulled out in the opening direction together with the inner rail.

Therefore, for manufacturers to satisfy different market demands, the development of a different slide rail product is an important task.

The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly capable of synchronously displacing two slide rails.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a synchronization device, and a contact feature. The second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail; the third rail is displaceable relative to the second rail; the synchronization device is arranged on one of the second rail and the third rail; the contact feature is arranged on the other of the second rail and the third rail; wherein, the third rail and the second rail can synchronously displace relative to the first rail through the synchronization device cooperating with the contact feature; wherein, the synchronization device comprises a first portion and a body portion connected to the first portion, and the first portion is arranged with a first corresponding section and an extending section; wherein, the first corresponding section is connected between the extending section and the body portion.

Preferably, an opening is configured between the first portion and the body portion of the synchronization device.

Preferably, the first portion is further arranged with a second corresponding section, the extending section is connected between the first corresponding section and the second corresponding section, and the second corresponding section is connected between the extending section and the body portion.

Preferably, the synchronization device is made of elastic materials.

Preferably, the contact feature comprises a first contact section; when the third rail at a retracted position displaces in a first direction, the contact feature allows the third rail and the second rail to synchronously displace in the first direction relative to the first rail via the first contact section abutting against the first corresponding section of the synchronization device.

Preferably, the first rail comprises a first blocking portion; when the second rail follows the third rail and synchronously displaces to an extended position in the first direction, the second rail is blocked by the first blocking portion and stays at the extended position, the third rail continues to displace in the first direction relative to the second rail, and the first contact section of the contact feature pushes against the first corresponding section of the synchronization device to deform the synchronization device elastically, allowing the first contact section of the contact feature to cross the first corresponding section of the synchronization device.

Preferably, when the third rail at an open position displaces in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the third rail and the second rail can synchronously displace in the second direction relative to the first rail through the collaboration between the synchronization device and the contact feature.

Preferably, the contact feature further comprises a second contact section; when the third rail at the open position displaces in the second direction, the contact feature allows the third rail and the second rail to synchronously displace in the second direction relative to the first rail via the contact between the second contact section and the second corresponding section of the synchronization device.

Preferably, the first rail comprises a second blocking portion; when the second rail follows the third rail and synchronously displaces to a pre-determined retracted position in the second direction, the second rail is blocked by the second blocking portion and stays at the pre-determined retracted position, the third rail continues to displace in the second direction relative to the second rail, and the second contact section of the contact feature pushes against the second corresponding section of the synchronization device to deform the synchronization device elastically, allowing the second contact section of the contact feature to cross the second corresponding section of the synchronization device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a synchronization device and a contact feature. The second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail; the third rail is displaceable relative to the second rail; the synchronization device is arranged on one of the second rail and the third rail; the contact feature is arranged on the other of the second rail and the third rail; wherein, when the third rail at a retracted position displaces in a first direction, the third rail and the second rail can synchronously displace in the first direction relative to the first rail through the synchronization device cooperating with the contact feature.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail kit comprises a slide rail and a synchronization device. The synchronization device is arranged on the slide rail; wherein the synchronization device comprises a first portion and a body portion, the first portion is arranged with a first corresponding section, a second corresponding section and an extending section connected between the first corresponding section and the second corresponding section; wherein the first corresponding section is connected between the extending section and the body portion; wherein the second corresponding section is connected between the extending section and the body portion; wherein an opening is configured between the first portion of the synchronization device and the body portion.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded diagram illustrating the slide rail assembly comprising a first rail, a second rail and a third rail according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the slide rail assembly at a retracted status according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the second rail of the slide rail assembly retracting relative to the first rail, and the third rail being displaceable in a first direction according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the third rail and the second rail of the slide rail assembly being displaceable in the first direction relative to the first rail, and the second rail being at an extended position relative to the first rail according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the third rail displacing in the first direction relative to the second rail that is at the extended position according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the slide rail assembly being at an extended status according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the third rail of the slide rail assembly displacing in a second direction relative to the second rail that is at the extended position according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the third rail and the second rail of the slide rail assembly displacing in the second direction relative to the first rail according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the second rail of the slide rail assembly retracting relative to the first rail, and the third rail being able to displace in the second direction according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a slide rail assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of slide rails, and a first rail 22 , a second rail 24 and a third rail 26 are illustrative of examples herein. The second rail 24 is moveably disposed between the first rail 22 and the third rail 26 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first rail 22 comprises a first wall 28 a , a second wall 28 b and a longitudinal wall 30 connected between the first wall 28 a and the second wall 28 b of the first rail 22 . The first wall 28 a , the second wall 28 b and the longitudinal wall 30 of the first rail 22 collectively define a first passage containing the second rail 24 . The first rail 22 comprises a first end portion f 1 and a second end portion r 1 , such as a front end portion and a rear end portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the first end portion f 1 adjacent to the first rail 22 is arranged with at least one first blocking portion 32 ; one first blocking portion 32 being arranged on the first wall 28 a of the first rail 22 and one first blocking portion 32 being arranged the second wall 28 b of the first rail 22 , and each first blocking portion 32 being a protrusion are illustrative of examples herein. On the other hand, the second end portion r 1 adjacent to the first rail 22 is arranged with a second blocking portion 34 ; wherein, the second blocking portion 34 being arranged as an additional attachment disposed on the second end portion r 1 adjacent to the first rail 22 , and the attachment being made of elastic materials is illustrative of an example. The longitudinal wall 30 of the first rail 22 comprising a first connecting portion K 1 , and the attachment being able to connect to the first connecting portion K 1 via a second connecting portion K 2 is illustrative of an example. The first connecting portion K 1 and the second connecting portion K 2 can be configured as a set of matching protrusion and indentation (hole or slot), but are not limited thereto in practical applications. For instance, the first connecting portion K 1 can be a protrusion to be inserted into a hole or slot that is the second connecting portion K 2 , so that the second blocking portion 34 can be secured onto the longitudinal wall 30 . In other replacement or alternative embodiments, the second blocking portion 34 can be integrally formed on the second end portion r 1 adjacent to the first rail 22 ; therefore, the implementation of the second blocking portion 34 is not limited thereto.

The second rail 24 comprises a first wall 42 a , a second wall 42 b and a longitudinal wall 44 connected between the first wall 42 a and the second wall 42 b of the second rail 24 . The first wall 42 a , the second wall 42 b and the longitudinal wall 44 of the second rail 24 collectively define a second passage containing the third rail 26 . The second rail 24 comprises a first end portion f 2 and a second end portion r 2 , such as a front end portion and a rear end portion, but is not limited thereto in practical applications. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further comprises a first slide-aiding device 36 moveably disposed between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24 ; the first slide-aiding device 36 comprising an upper roller strip 38 a and a lower roller strip 38 b respectively arranged inside the first passage of the first rail 22 and adjacent to the first wall 28 a and the second wall 28 b of the first rail 22 is illustrative of an example herein. The upper roller strip 38 a and the lower roller strip 38 b of the first slide-aiding device 36 both comprise a plurality of rollers 40 to assist in the displacement of the second rail 24 and the first rail 22 relative to each other. Wherein, the plurality of rollers 40 such as ball bearings or wheels supports the space between the first wall 28 a of the first rail 22 and the first wall 42 a of the second rail 24 , and the plurality of rollers 40 of the lower roller strip 38 b supports the space between the second wall 28 b of the first rail 22 and the second wall 42 b of the second rail 24 .

The third rail 26 comprises a first wall 46 a , a second wall 46 b and a longitudinal wall 48 connected between the first wall 46 a and second wall 46 b of the third rail 26 . Positions of the first wall 46 a , the second wall 46 b and the longitudinal wall 48 of the third rail 26 respectively correspond to positions of the first wall 42 a , the second wall 42 b and the longitudinal wall 44 of the second rail 24 . The third rail 26 comprises a first end portion f 3 and a second end portion r 3 , such as a front end portion and a rear end portion, but is not limited thereto in practical applications. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further comprises a second slide-aiding device 45 moveably disposed between the second rail 24 and the third rail 26 . The second slide-aiding device 45 comprises a plurality of rollers 43 , and the plurality of rollers 43 such as ball bearings or wheels assists in the displacement of the second rail 24 and the third rail 26 relative to each other. Preferably, the second blocking portion 34 of the first rail 22 comprises a guiding feature 64 ; the guiding feature 64 being a sloped surface or a curved surface is illustrative of an example herein, but is not limited thereto in practical applications.

The slide rail assembly 20 further comprises a synchronization device 50 and a contact feature 52 . The synchronization device 50 is arranged on one of the second rail 24 and the third rail 26 , and the contact feature 52 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) is arranged on the other of the second rail 24 and the third rail 26 . The synchronization device 50 being arranged on the second rail 24 , and the contact feature 52 being arranged on the third rail 26 is illustrative of an example herein, but is not limited thereto in practical applications. Wherein, the synchronization device 50 and the second rail 24 can form a slide rail kit.

The synchronization device 50 can be integrally formed on the second rail 24 ; or, as shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the synchronization device 50 can be detachably disposed on the second rail 24 . More specifically, the longitudinal wall 44 of the second rail 24 comprises a first mounting portion M 1 , and the synchronization device 50 can be latched on or mounted to the first mounting portion M 1 via a second mounting portion M 2 . Wherein, the first mounting portion M 1 and the second mounting portion M 2 can be configured as a set of matching protrusion and indentation (hole or slot), but are not limited thereto in practical applications. For instance, the first mounting portion M 1 can be a protrusion to be inserted into a hole or slot that is the second mounting portion M 2 , so that the synchronization device 50 can be secured onto the longitudinal wall 44 . Preferably, the synchronization device 50 is an independent component made of elastic materials such as plastic, but is not limited thereto in practical applications. Preferably, the synchronization device 50 comprises a first portion 54 , a second portion 56 and a body portion 58 connected between the first portion 54 and the second portion 56 (as shown in FIG. 3 ). The body portion 58 comprises a first body 58 a and a second body 58 b connected to the first body 58 a . Wherein, the first portion 54 and the second portion 56 have substantially identical structural arrangements, but are not limited thereto in practical applications. Preferably, with respect to the second portion 56 , the first portion 54 of the synchronization device 50 is closer to the first wall 42 a of the second rail 24 ; with respect to the first portion 54 , the second portion 56 of the synchronization device 50 is closer to the second wall 42 b of the second rail 24 . Preferably, a first opening H 1 is configured between the first portion 54 and the body portion 58 . Similarly, a second opening H 2 is configured between the second portion 56 and the body portion 58 . The first portion 54 of the synchronization device 50 is arranged with a first corresponding section 54 a , a second corresponding section 54 b and an extending section 54 c connected between the first corresponding section 54 a and the second corresponding section 54 b . Wherein, the first corresponding section 54 a is connected between the extending section 54 c and (the first body 58 a of) the body portion 58 ; the second corresponding section 54 b is connected between the extending section 54 c and (the second body 58 b ) of the body portion 58 .

The contact feature 52 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) comprises a first contact section 60 and a second contact section 62 . Preferably, the contact feature 52 further comprises a middle section 61 connected between the first contact section 60 and the second contact section 62 . Here, the first wall 46 a and the second wall 46 b of the third rail 26 both being arranged with a contact feature 52 , and the two contact features 52 having substantially identical structural arrangements, are illustrative of examples. Each contact feature 52 functions separately with the first portion 54 and the second portion 56 of the synchronization device 50 , and each is substantially functioning in an identical manner. Wherein, a protrusion is illustrative of an example of both contact features 52 , but is not limited thereto in practical applications.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the slide rail assembly 20 is at a retracted status. Wherein, the second rail 24 is retracted relative to the first rail 22 , and the third rail 26 is at a retracted position R relative to the second rail 24 . When the third rail 26 is at the retracted position R relative to the second rail 24 , the third rail 26 and the contact feature 52 can be blocked by the guiding feature 64 of the second blocking portion 34 of the first rail 22 when displacing in a first direction D 1 , such that the third rail 26 is prevented from unintentionally leaving the retracted position R in the first direction D 1 . In other words, the slide rail assembly 20 can be retained at the retracted status. It is worth noting that one of the first contact section 60 of the contact feature 52 and the first corresponding section 54 a of the synchronization device 50 comprises a sloped surface or a curved surface. Both are illustrated as a sloped surface or a curved surface as an example herein, but they are not limited thereto in practical applications.

Furthermore, if a force is exerted on the third rail 26 at the retracted position R such that the third rail 26 longitudinally displaces for a distance in the first direction D 1 relative to the first rail 22 , and the force is large enough to overcome a force required to elastically deform the second blocking portion 34 , the contact feature 52 (and the first contact section 60 thereof) of the third rail 26 can contact the guiding feature 64 of the second blocking portion 34 . Then, the contact feature 52 can be guided by the guiding feature 64 to cross the second blocking portion 34 in the first direction D 1 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , when the force described above is exerted on the third rail 26 for the third rail 26 to continue to displace in the first direction D 1 relative to the first rail 22 , the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 can synchronously displace in the first direction D 1 relative to the first rail 22 the synchronization device 50 cooperating with the contact feature 52 . More specifically, the contact feature 52 allows the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 to synchronously displace in the first direction D 1 via the first contact section 60 abutting against the first corresponding section 54 a of the synchronization device 50 . At this time, the upper roller strip 38 a and the lower roller strip 38 b of the first slide-aiding device 36 also displace in the first direction D 1 through a slight friction between the upper roller strip 38 a , the first wall 28 a of the first rail 22 and the first wall 42 a of the second rail 24 , and through a slight friction between the lower roller strip 38 b , the second wall 28 b of the first rail 22 and the second wall 42 b of the second rail 24 . Preferably, the first wall 42 a and the second wall 42 b of the second rail 24 are arranged with a first pushing portion 47 a and a second pushing portion 47 b.

As shown in FIG. 5 , when the second rail 24 follows the third rail 26 and synchronously displaces to an extended position P 1 in the first direction D 1 , the second rail 24 is blocked by the first blocking portion 32 of the first rail 22 such that the second rail 24 stays at the extended position P 1 relative to the first rail 22 . For example, a front end of the upper roller strip 38 a and a front end of the lower roller strip 38 b of the first slide-aiding device 36 abut the two first blocking portions 32 of the first rail 22 (respectively arranged on the first wall 28 a and the second wall 28 b ), and the first pushing portion 47 a and the second pushing portion 47 b of the second rail 24 respectively abut a rear end of the upper roller strip 38 a and a rear end of the lower roller strip 38 b of first slide-aiding device 36 . In such a configuration, the second rail 24 can stay at the extended position P 1 relative to the first rail 22 . In other replacement or alternative embodiments in which the slide rail assembly 20 does not comprise the upper roller strip 38 a and the lower roller strip 38 b , the second rail 24 can be directly blocked by the two first blocking portions 32 of the first rail 22 contacting the first pushing portion 47 a and the second pushing portion 47 b . In this manner, the second rail 24 can remain extended and/or extend even farther relative to the first rail 22 . Therefore, implementation of such blocking arrangement is not limited thereto in practical applications.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first contact section 60 of the contact feature 52 and the first corresponding section 54 a of the synchronization device 50 in the present embodiment all comprise a sloped surface or a curved surface. At this time, the second rail 24 is blocked by the first rail 22 . When the force to continue displacing the third rail 26 in the first direction D 1 relative to the second rail 24 that is at the extended position P 1 is further increased, the first contact section 60 of the contact feature 52 can push against the first corresponding section 54 a of the synchronization device 50 via the sloped surface or the curved surface to deform the synchronization device 50 elastically (as shown in FIG. 6 ), allowing the first contact section 60 of the contact feature 52 to cross the first corresponding section 54 a of the synchronization device 50 . Wherein, as shown in FIG. 6 , the first portion 54 and the second portion 56 of the synchronization device 50 can be pushed (or compressed) by the middle section 61 of the contact feature 52 of the first wall 46 a and the second wall 46 b of the third rail 26 . Preferably, the first opening H 1 is able to assist the first portion 54 of the synchronization device 50 to elastically deform toward the body portion 58 in a first pre-determined direction B 1 ; similarly, the second opening H 2 is able to assist the second portion 56 of the synchronization device 50 to elastically deform toward the body portion 58 in a second pre-determined direction B 2 opposite to the first predetermined direction B 1 .

As shown in FIG. 7 , the slide rail assembly 20 is at an extended status. In particular, after the contact feature 52 crosses the first corresponding section 54 a of the synchronization device 50 in the first direction D 1 , the third rail 26 can displace to an open position P 2 relative to the second rail 24 that is at the extended position P 1 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , one of the second contact section 62 of the contact feature 52 and the second corresponding section 54 b of the synchronization device 50 comprises a sloped surface or a curved surface. Both are illustrated as a sloped surface or a curved surface as an example herein, but they are not limited thereto in practical applications. Further, when the third rail 26 at the above-mentioned open position P 2 displaces in a second direction D 2 opposite to the above-mentioned first direction D 1 , the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 can synchronously displace in the second direction D 2 relative to the first rail 22 through the synchronization device 50 cooperating with the contact feature 52 . Wherein, when the third rail 26 displaces in the second direction D 2 from the above-mentioned open position P 2 , the contact feature 52 allows the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 to synchronously displace in the second direction D 2 via the second contact section 62 abutting against the second corresponding section 54 b of the synchronization device 50 .

As shown in FIG. 9 , when the second rail 24 follows the third rail 26 and synchronously displaces to a pre-determined retracted position X in the second direction D 2 , a portion of the second rail 24 (such as the second end portion r 2 of the second rail 24 ) is blocked by the second blocking portion 34 of the first rail 22 and the second rail 24 stays at the pre-determined retracted position X.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the second contact section 62 of the contact feature 52 and the second corresponding section 54 b of the synchronization device 50 in the present embodiment all comprise a sloped surface or a curved surface. When the third rail 26 continues to displace in the second direction D 2 relative to the second rail 24 that is at the pre-determined retracted position X, the second contact section 62 of the contact feature 52 can push against the second corresponding section 54 b of the synchronization device 50 via the sloped surface or the curved surface to deform the synchronization device 50 elastically (the principle of elastic deformation is substantially identical to the synchronization device 50 shown in FIG. 6 ), allowing the second contact section 62 of the contact feature 52 to cross the second corresponding section 54 b of the synchronization device 50 . Wherein, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first portion 54 and the second portion 56 of the synchronization device 50 can be pushed (or compressed) by the middle section 61 of the contact feature 52 of the first wall 46 a and the second wall 46 b of the third rail 26 . Preferably, the first opening H 1 is able to assist the first portion 54 of the synchronization device 50 to elastically deform toward the body portion 58 in the above-mentioned first pre-determined direction B 1 ; similarly, the second opening H 2 is able to assist the second portion 56 of the synchronization device 50 to elastically deform toward the body portion 58 in the above-mentioned second pre-determined direction B 2 . After the contact feature 52 crosses the second corresponding section 54 b of the synchronization device 50 in the second direction D 2 , the third rail 26 can displace back to the above-mentioned retracted position R relative to the second rail 24 that is at the pre-determined retracted position X (please also refer to FIG. 3 ).

It is worth noting that, as shown in FIGS. 3-5 of the embodiment of the present invention, the first corresponding section 54 a of the first portion 54 of the synchronization device 50 may comprise a sloped surface or a curved surface. Such sloped or curved surface, with a larger/steeper slope or curvature relative to the second corresponding section 54 b , allows the first corresponding section 54 a to keep (and stay) in contact with the first contact section 60 during the synchronized movement of the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 in the first direction D 1 . That is, the larger/steeper slope or curvature of the first corresponding section 54 a relative to the second corresponding section 54 b would not allow the first contact section 60 to easily cross the first corresponding section 54 a in the first direction D 1 . On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9-10 of the embodiment of the present invention, the sloped or curved surface of the second corresponding section 54 b , with a smaller/less steep slope or curvature relative to the first corresponding section 54 a , allows the first contact section 60 to more easily cross the second corresponding section 54 b in the second direction D 2 .

It can be seen from the aforementioned embodiments that the slide rail assembly of the present invention includes the following advantages:

1. Through the synchronization device 50 cooperating with the contact feature 52 , the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 can synchronously displace in the first direction D 1 or the second direction D 2 relative to the first rail 22 .

2. Through the synchronization device 50 cooperating with the contact feature 52 , the function of synchronizing the displacement of the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 can be achieved, thereby simplifying an overall design of the structure of the slide rail assembly.

3. The first portion 54 of the synchronization device 50 is arranged with the first corresponding section 54 a , the second corresponding section 54 b and the extending section 54 c connected between the first corresponding section 54 a and the second corresponding section 54 b . Wherein, the first corresponding section 54 a is connected between the extending section 54 c and (the first body 58 a of) the body portion 58 ; the second corresponding section 54 b is connected between the extending section 54 c and (the second body 58 b ) of the body portion 58 . Such configuration increases the structural strength and efficiency of the synchronization device 50 relative to prior arts, so that the function of synchronous displacement of the slide rail assembly 20 can be more reliably achieved.

4. The synchronization device 50 is composed of resilient, elastic or deformable materials. Wherein, the first opening H 1 is able to assist the first portion 54 of the synchronization device 50 to elastically deform toward the body portion 58 ; similarly, the second opening H 2 is able to assist the second portion 56 of the synchronization device 50 to elastically deform toward the body portion 58 .

5. The synchronization device 50 is detachably disposed on a slide rail (such as the second rail 24 ). Therefore, the synchronization device 50 can be mounted or installed on the slide rail depending on demands of a user.

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.