U.S. patent application number 10/912402 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for slide device with removable and lockable inner slide member.
Invention is credited to He, Ying-Jun.
Application Number | 20050029913 10/912402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34114779 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050029913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
He, Ying-Jun |
February 10, 2005 |
Slide device with removable and lockable inner slide member
Abstract
A slide device includes an intermediate slide member (30), an
inner slide member (20), and a latch (40). The intermediate slide
member includes a stop (34) extending therefrom. The inner slide
member is slidable within the intermediate slide member. The latch
is attached to the inner slide member, and sandwiched between the
intermediate slide member and the inner slide member. An elastic
body (45) portion extends from the latch, and includes a first bent
section (46) and a second bent section (48). The first bent section
or the second bent section defines an aperture (47). When the inner
slide member is slid into and out from the intermediate slide
member, the stop rides along the elastic body portion of the latch,
and snappingly engages in the aperture to lock the inner slide
member to the intermediate slide member.
Inventors: |
He, Ying-Jun; (Shenzhen,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEI TE CHUNG
FOXCONN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1650 MEMOREX DRIVE
SANTA CLARA
CA
95050
US
|
Family ID: |
34114779 |
Appl. No.: |
10/912402 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/334.44 ;
312/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/427 20170101;
A47B 88/493 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/334.44 ;
312/333 |
International
Class: |
A47B 088/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 6, 2003 |
TW |
92214293 |
Claims
1. A slide device for sliding a container into and out from an
opening of a case, the slide device comprising: an outer slide
member attached to an inside face of the container at the opening;
an intermediate slide member being slidable within the outer slide
member, a stop extending from near an end of the intermediate slide
member; an inner slide member mounted to a lateral side of the
container, the inner slide member being slidable within the
intermediate slide member; and a latch having one end attached to
the inner slide member, and sandwiched between the intermediate
slide member and the inner slide member, an elastic body portion
extending from said one end of the latch, the elastic body portion
comprising a first bent section extending slantwise toward the
intermediate slide member and a second bent section extending
slantwise toward the inner slide member, the first bent section or
the second bent section defining an aperture corresponding to the
stop of the intermediate slide member; wherein when the inner slide
member is slid into and out from the intermediate slide member, the
stop of the intermediate slide member rides along the elastic body
portion of the latch, and causes the latch to deform toward the
inner slide member, and when the stop reaches the aperture of the
elastic body portion, it snappingly engages in the aperture to lock
the inner slide member to the intermediate slide member.
2. The slide device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one end of
the latch comprises a head secured to the inner slide member, and a
neck connecting the first bent section of the elastic body portion
to the head, the neck extending slightly slantwise from the
head.
3. The slide device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the head is
generally planar and defines at least a cutout therein.
4. The slide device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner slide
member comprises at least a tab extending therefrom corresponding
to the cutout of the head of the latch, said tab extending through
said cutout to attach the latch to the inner slide member.
5. The slide device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the neck of the
latch has a narrowed width for facilitating elastic deformation of
the elastic body portion.
6. The slide device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic body
portion further comprises an end section extending from the second
bent section toward the inner slide member.
7. The slide device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the aperture is
defined in the first bent section near the second bent section.
8. The slide device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the aperture is
defined in the second bent section near the first bent section.
9. A slide device comprising: an outer slide member; an
intermediate slide member being slidable within the outer slide
member; an inner slide member being slidable within the
intermediate slide member; a latch having one end attached to the
inner slide member, and sandwiched between the intermediate slide
member and the inner slide member, an elastic body portion
cantileveringly extending from the head, the elastic body portion
comprising a first bent section extending slantwise toward the
intermediate slide member and a second bent section extending
slantwise toward the inner slide member, one of the first bent
section and the second bent section defining an aperture; and stop
means extending from the intermediate slide member toward the inner
slide member near an end of the intermediate slide member, the stop
means riding along the elastic body portion of the latch and
snappingly engaging in the aperture to lock the inner slide member
to the intermediate slide member.
10. The slide device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the latch
further comprises a neck connecting the first bent section of the
elastic body portion to the head, the neck extending slightly
slantwise from the head.
11. The slide device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the head is
generally planar and defines at least a cutout therein.
12. The slide device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner
slide member comprises at least a tab extending therefrom
corresponding to the cutout of the head of the latch, said tab
extending through said cutout to attach the latch to the inner
slide member.
13. The slide device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the neck of
the latch has a narrowed width for facilitating elastic deformation
of the elastic body portion.
14. The slide device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elastic
body portion further comprises an end section extending from the
second bent section toward the inner slide member.
15. The slide device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the aperture
is defined in the first bent section near the second bent
section.
16. The slide device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the aperture
is defined in the second bent section near the first bent
section.
17. A slide device assembly comprising: a first slide member
extending along a lengthwise direction; a second slide member
extending along said lengthwise direction and mounted to a casing
and being slidable within the first slide member along said
lengthwise direction; a latch extending along said lengthwise
direciton and having one end attached to the second slide member,
said latch located between the first slide member and the second
slide member, said latch including an elastic body portion defining
a bulged configuration toward said first slide member; and a
locking protrusion extending from one of said first slide member
and said second slide member to the other of said first side member
and said second slide member, and a locking aperture formed in the
other of said first member and said second slide member for
latchable engagement with the locking protrusion; wherein said
elastic body portion is deflectable toward the second slide member
for unlocking the locking protrusion from the locking aperture, if
a force is applied in a lateral directin perperdicualr to the
lengthwise direction.
18. The slide device assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein said
latch is fully received in the first slide member when the second
slide member is received in the first slide member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to slide devices, and
particularly to a slide device with a removable and lockable inner
slide member.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Slide devices are often mounted into electronic equipment
for facilitating replacement or maintenance of inner components of
the equipment. The slide devices allow the inner components to be
conveniently slid into and out from the electronic devices.
[0005] To prevent slide members of a slide device from being
accidentally slid out from the slide device and falling down, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,549,773 discloses a slide device with a latch mechanism
which makes an inner slide member removable and lockable. Referring
to FIG. 7, the latch mechanism comprises a latch 80. The latch 80
defines a cutout 82. One end of the latch 80 is pivotally attached
to an inner slide member 70. A spring (not shown) is arranged
between the latch 80 and the inner slide member 70 to bias the
latch 80. The inner slide member 70 is slidable in an intermediate
slide member 90. The intermediate member 90 comprises a tab 92
corresponding to the cutout 82 of the latch 80. When the inner
slide member 70 is slid into the intermediate slide member 90, the
latch 80 is manually pressed, and the spring is compressed. When
the inner slide member 70 is slid to a predetermined position, the
tab 92 snappingly engages in the cutout 82 of the latch 80 of the
inner slide member 70, and the latch 80 returns to its original
position under the biasing force of the spring. Thus the inner
slide member 70 is securely locked in the predetermined
position.
[0006] However, the above latch mechanism has several drawbacks.
First, a spring member is needed to bias the latch 80, and
attachment of the spring in assembly of the latch mechanism is
unduly cumbersome and time consuming. In addition, the spring may
even drop out from the inner slide member 70 if the latch mechanism
is subjected to strong vibration. Second, once the cutout 82 has
engagingly received the tab 92, the latch 80 must be manually
pushed to overcome the bias force of the spring and release the tab
92 from the cutout, so that the inner slide member 70 can be slid
in the intermediate slide member 90 again. This operation is
inconvenient. Third, a pair of the slide devices is usually needed
to be respectively mounted on opposite sides of an electronic
component. Accordingly, a pair of latches 80 having symmetrical
configurations is needed. The requirement for two configurations of
the latches 80 increases manufacturing costs.
[0007] Thus an improved slide device which overcomes the
above-mentioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a slide device which allows convenient removal and locking
of an inner slide member thereof.
[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a slide device in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
includes an outer slide member, an intermediate slide member, an
inner slide membe, and a latch. The intermediate slide member is
slidable witin the outer slide member, and includes a stop
extending therefrom. The inner slide member is slidable within the
intermediate slide member. The latch is attached to the inner slide
member, and sandwiched between the intermediate slide member and
the inner slide member. An elastic body portion extends from the
latch, and includes a first bent section extending slantwise toward
the intermediate slide member and a second bent section extending
slantwise toward the inner slide member. The first bent section or
the second bent section defines an aperture corresponding to the
stop of the intermediate slide member. When the inner slide member
is slid into and out from the intermediate slide member, the stop
of the intermediate slide member rides along the elastic body
portion of the latch, and causes the latch to deform toward the
inner slide member; and when the stop reaches the aperture of the
elastic body portion, it snappingly engages in the aperture to lock
the inner slide member to the intermediate slide member.
[0010] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments of the present invention with the
attached drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a slide device in accordance
with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a latch and an inner slide
member of the slide device of FIG. 1, showing the latch attached to
the inner slide member;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the latch of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic top elevation of an intermediate slide
member, the latch and the inner slide member of the slide device of
FIG. 1, showing different stages of sliding of the inner slide
member relative to the intermediate slide member;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an electronic component
container slidably attached to a case by a pair of slide devices in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention
is mounted;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a latch of a slide device in
accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a conventional slide
device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a slide device in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an inner
slide member 20, an intermediate slide member 30, a latch 40
attached to the inner slide member 20, and an outer slide member
50. The inner slide member 20 is slidable within the intermediate
slide member 30. The intermediate slide member 30 is slidable
within the outer slide member 50.
[0019] Referring also to FIG. 2, the inner slide member 20 forms a
pair of tabs 24 on a center portion of an inside face thereof. The
tabs 24 are parallel to each other, and each tab is oriented
transversely to the inner slide member 20. The intermediate slide
member 30 forms a stop 34 near an end of an inside face
thereof.
[0020] Referring also to FIG. 3, the latch 40 is made of elastic
material. The latch 40 comprises, in sequence, a head 42, a neck 44
extending slightly slantwise from the head 42, and a bent elastic
body portion 45 extending slantwise from the neck 44. The elastic
body portion 45 comprises, in sequence, a first bent section 46, a
second bent section 48, and an end section 49. The head 42 is
generally planar, and defines a pair of cutouts 43 corresponding to
the tabs 24 of the inner slide member 20. A narrowed width of the
neck 44 facilitates elastic deformation of the elastic body portion
45. The first bent section 46 extends slantwise from the neck 44
slightly toward the intermediate slide member 30. The second bent
section 48 extends slantwise from the first bent section 46
slightly toward the inner slide member 20. The second bent section
48 defines an aperture 47 near the first bent section 46,
corresponding to the stop 34 of the intermediate slide member 30.
The end section 49 extends from the second bent section 48 toward
the inner slide member 20, for being pressed in order to
elastically deform the latch 40.
[0021] To attach the latch 40 to the inner slide member 20, the
head 42 of the latch 40 is placed on the inside face of the inner
slide member 20, with the tabs 24 of the inner slide member 20
extending through the cutouts 43 of the latch 40. The tabs 24 are
then bent perpendicularly toward each other so that they abut the
head 42. Thus the latch 40 is fixedly attached to the inner slide
member 20.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, to attach the inner slide member 20
into the intermediate slide member 30, the inner slide member 20 is
oriented so that its inside face generally opposes an inside face
of the intermediate slide member 30. The inner slide member 20 is
slid into the intermediate slide member 30 along direction M from
the end of the intermediate slide member 30 where the stop 34 is
located. The stop 34 rides along the first bent section 46 of the
latch 40, and causes the latch 40 to deform toward the inner slide
member 20. As the stop 34 begins to ride along the second bent
section 48, it snappingly engages in the aperture 47. Thus the
inner slide member 20 is locked to the intermediate slide member 30
in a predetermined position. To continue sliding the inner slide
member 20 into the intermediate slide member 30, the end section 49
of the latch 40 is pressed in order to deform the latch 40 toward
the inner slide member 20. The stop 34 is released from the
aperture 47, and the inner slide member 20 is free to be slid
further.
[0023] When the inner slide member 20 is slid out from the
intermediate slide member 30 along direction N, the stop 34 rides
along the second bent section 48 of the latch 40, and causes the
latch 40 to deform toward the inner slide member 20. When the inner
slide member 20 reaches the predetermined position, the stop 34
snappingly engages in the aperture 47. Thus the inner slide member
20 is locked in the predetermined position, and is prevented from
being accidentally slid completely out from the intermediate slide
member 30. To slide the inner slide member 20 completely out from
the intermediate slide member 30, the end section 49 of the latch
40 is pressed in order to deform the latch 40 toward the inner
slide member 20. The stop 34 is released from the aperture 47, and
the inner slide member 20 is free to be slid further.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the combined inner slide member
20 and intermediate slide member 30 is slidably engaged in the
outer slide member 50 to form the slide device. A pair of such
slide devices is provided. The outer slide members 50 of the slide
devices are respectively attached to opposite insides of a case 60
at an opening 62 thereof. The inner slide members 20 of the slide
devices are respectively attached to opposite sides of an
electronic component container 64. Thus the container 64 is
slidable into and out from the case 60 via the opening 62.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, a latch 40' in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the present invention is similar to the
latch 40 of the slide device of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, except for an aperture 47'. The aperture 47' is
defined in a first bent section 46' of an elastic body portion 45'
of the latch 40'. The elastic body portion 45' also comprises a
second bent section 48' and an end section 49'. Assembly of the
latch 40' to the inner slide member 20 and operation of the latch
40' are substantially the same as that described above in relation
to the latch 40 of the slide device of the preferred
embodiment.
[0026] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other
forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the present
examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be
limited to the details given herein.
* * * * *