U.S. patent application number 15/486494 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-01 for retracting mechanism for a movable furniture part.
The applicant listed for this patent is KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to KEN-CHING CHEN, HSIU-CHIANG LIANG, CHUN-CHIANG WANG.
Application Number | 20180055225 15/486494 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58578888 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180055225 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; KEN-CHING ; et
al. |
March 1, 2018 |
RETRACTING MECHANISM FOR A MOVABLE FURNITURE PART
Abstract
A retracting mechanism for a movable furniture part includes a
body, a catching member, a connecting member, a supporting member,
and a resilient member. The catching member and the body are
movable with respect to each other. The connecting member is
connected to the catching member, and the supporting member is
connected to the connecting member. The resilient member applies an
elastic restoring force to the catching member. The supporting
member is engaged with the body when the body reaches a
predetermined position with respect to the catching member by being
moved in a certain direction. The engagement helps reduce the
pulling force the operator has to apply to move the body further in
the same direction with respect to the catching member.
Inventors: |
CHEN; KEN-CHING; (KAOHSIUNG
CITY, TW) ; LIANG; HSIU-CHIANG; (KAOHSIUNG CITY,
TW) ; WANG; CHUN-CHIANG; (KAOHSIUNG CITY,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD.
KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
KAOHSIUNG CITY
KAOHSIUNG CITY |
|
TW
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
58578888 |
Appl. No.: |
15/486494 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F 5/003 20130101;
E05F 1/16 20130101; A47B 88/49 20170101; A47B 88/467 20170101; A47B
88/473 20170101; E05Y 2800/24 20130101; A47B 88/40 20170101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/467 20060101
A47B088/467; A47B 88/49 20060101 A47B088/49 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2016 |
TW |
105128337 |
Claims
1. A retracting mechanism, comprising: a body including a first
path and a second path, wherein the first path includes a guiding
section, the guiding section includes a first end and a second end
opposite the first end, there is a height difference between the
first end and the second end, the first path further includes a
first bent section adjacent to the second end of the guiding
section, and the second path includes a linear section and a second
bent section bent with respect to and in communication with the
linear section; a catching member, wherein the catching member and
the body are movable with respect to each other through the second
path; a connecting member connected to the catching member; a
supporting member connected to the connecting member, the
supporting member including a supporting portion in the first path,
and the supporting member and the connecting member are pivotally
connected by a pivotal connection portion, the pivotal connection
portion is in the second path; and a resilient member for applying
an elastic restoring force to the catching member; wherein the
supporting portion of the supporting member is moved from the
guiding section of the first path of the body into engagement with
the first bent section when one of the body and the catching member
reaches a first predetermined position with respect to the other by
being moved in a first direction; wherein the catching member is
moved from the linear section of the second path of the body into
engagement with the second bent section to maintain the elastic
restoring force of the resilient member, when the one of the body
and the catching member reaches a second predetermined position
with respect to the other by being further moved in the first
direction, the elastic restoring force acting in a second
direction.
2. The retracting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the guiding section
is sloped.
3. The retracting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the connecting
member and the catching member are pivotally connected by a shaft,
and the shaft is in the second path.
4. (canceled)
5. The retracting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the supporting
portion of the supporting member is able to be pressed against the
guiding section in order to move along the guiding section and
approach the first bent section gradually.
6. The retracting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a buffer
device arranged between the body and the catching member.
7. The retracting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second
direction and the first direction are opposite directions.
8. A retracting mechanism, comprising: a body including a first
engaging portion, a second engaging portion, a first path and a
second path, the first path includes a guiding section and a first
bent section adjacent to the guiding section, the second path
includes a linear section and a second bent section bent with
respect to and in communication with the linear section, the first
engaging portion is adjacent to the first bent section, and the
second engaging portion is adjacent to the second bent section; a
catching member, wherein the catching member and the body are
movable with respect to each other; a connecting member, wherein
the connecting member and the catching member are pivotally
connected; a supporting member, wherein the supporting member and
the connecting member are pivotally connected, and the supporting
member includes a supporting portion, the supporting member and the
connecting member are pivotally connected by a pivotal connection
portion, and the pivotal connection portion is in the second path;
and a resilient member; wherein the resilient member accumulates an
elastic restoring force in a second direction while one of the body
and the catching member is being moved with respect to the other in
a first direction, and the supporting portion of the supporting
member is pivoted with respect to the connecting member into
engagement with the first engaging portion of the body when the one
of the body and the catching member reaches a first predetermined
position with respect to the other by being moved in the first
direction; wherein the supporting portion of the supporting member
is engaged with the first engaging portion of the body while the
one of the body and the catching member is being further moved with
respect to the other in the first direction, thus assisting in
overcoming the elastic restoring force of the resilient member in
the second direction; and the catching member is pivoted with
respect to the connecting member into engagement with the second
engaging portion of the body when the one of the body and the
catching member reaches a second predetermined position by being
further moved with respect to the other in the first direction,
thus maintaining the elastic restoring force of the resilient
member in the second direction.
9. The retracting mechanism of claim 8, wherein the resilient
member is mounted between the supporting member and the body.
10. (canceled)
11. The retracting mechanism of claim 8, wherein the guiding
section is sloped.
12. The retracting mechanism of claim 8, wherein the connecting
member and the catching member are pivotally connected by a shaft,
and the shaft is in the second path.
13. (canceled)
14. The retracting mechanism of claim 11, wherein the supporting
portion of the supporting member is able to be pressed against the
guiding section in order to move along the guiding section and
approach the first bent section gradually.
15. The retracting mechanism of claim 8, further comprising a
buffer device arranged between the body and the catching
member.
16. The retracting mechanism of claim 8, wherein the second
direction and the first direction are opposite directions.
17. A retracting mechanism for a movable furniture part, applicable
to a first furniture part and a second furniture part, wherein the
first furniture part includes a fixing member, the second furniture
part is movable in a first direction from a retracted position with
respect to the first furniture part, and the retracting mechanism
is arranged on the second furniture part, the retracting mechanism
comprising: a body including a first path and a second path,
wherein the first path includes a guiding section, the guiding
section includes a first end and a second end opposite the first
end, there is a height difference between the first end and the
second end, the first path further includes a first bent section
adjacent to the second end of the guiding section, and the second
path includes a linear section and a second bent section bent with
respect to and in communication with the linear section; a catching
member, wherein the catching member and the body are movable with
respect to each other through the second path, and the catching
member is engaged with the fixing member of the first furniture
part when the second furniture part is at the retracted position
with respect to the first furniture part; a connecting member,
wherein the connecting member and the catching member are pivotally
connected; a supporting member, wherein the supporting member and
the connecting member are pivotally connected, and the supporting
member includes a supporting portion in the first path, the
supporting member and the connecting member are pivotally connected
by a pivotal connection portion, and the pivotal connection portion
is in the second path; and a resilient member for applying an
elastic restoring force and thereby retracting the second furniture
part to the retracted position with respect to the first furniture
part; wherein the supporting portion of the supporting member is
pivoted with respect to the connecting member from the guiding
section of the first path of the body into engagement with the
first bent section when the second furniture part reaches a first
predetermined position with respect to the first furniture part by
being moved in the first direction from the retracted position;
wherein the catching member is pivoted with respect to the
connecting member, is thus disengaged from the fixing member of the
first furniture part, and is moved from the linear section of the
second path of the body into engagement with the second bent
section to maintain the elastic restoring force of the resilient
member, when the second furniture part reaches a second
predetermined position with respect to the first furniture part by
being further moved in the first direction from the first
predetermined position, the elastic restoring force acting in a
second direction.
18. The retracting mechanism of claim 17, wherein the guiding
section is sloped.
19. The retracting mechanism of claim 17, wherein the connecting
member and the catching member are pivotally connected by a shaft,
and the shaft is in the second path.
20. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a retracting mechanism and
more particularly to one applicable to a movable furniture
part.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a furniture system such as a drawer system, a drawer is
typically designed to be opened and closed with respect to a
cabinet frame via a pair of slide rail assemblies. According to the
prior art, a drawer being moved from an opened position to a
retracted position with respect to a cabinet frame can be
automatically brought to the retracted position by a retracting
mechanism in the last stage of the retracting process. U.S. Pat.
No. 8,905,498 B2, for example, discloses a retracting device for
retracting a movably supported furniture part with respect to a
furniture body. The retracting device (8) includes a main body (9),
an entrainment member (12), a slider (16), a spring holder (18),
and a spring device (17). The main body (9) has a displacement path
(10) and a control curve (21). The slider (16) is moved along the
displacement path (10) in response to the entrainment member (12)
being driven by a coupling element (14). The spring device (17)
applies an elastic force to the spring holder (18). The spring
holder (18) is configured to move along the control curve (21) and
has a tooth arrangement (22a) engageable with a tooth arrangement
(22b) of the slider (16). The foregoing configuration allows the
forces required for stressing the spring device (17) to be reduced.
The contents of this U.S. patent are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0003] As market demands vary, it is important for the related
industries to work together and develop more retracting devices
that are equally capable of reducing the forces required to move a
furniture part with respect to another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a retracting mechanism that
allows a user to operate a movable furniture part effortlessly.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a
retracting mechanism includes a body, a catching member, a
connecting member, a supporting member, and a resilient member. The
body includes a first path and a second path. The first path
includes a guiding section with opposite first and second ends, and
there is a height difference between the first and second ends. The
first path further includes a first bent section adjacent to the
second end of the guiding section. The second path includes a
linear section and a second bent section. The second bent section
is bent with respect to and in communication with the linear
section. The catching member and the body can move with respect to
each other through the second path. The connecting member is
connected to the catching member. The supporting member is
connected to the connecting member and includes a supporting
portion in the first path. The resilient member is configured to
apply an elastic restoring force to the catching member. When one
of the body and the catching member reaches a first predetermined
position with respect to the other by being moved in a first
direction, the supporting portion of the supporting member is moved
from the guiding section of the first path of the body into
engagement with the first bent section. When the one of the body
and the catching member reaches a second predetermined position
with respect to the other by being further moved in the first
direction, the catching member is moved from the linear section of
the second path of the body into engagement with the second bent
section to maintain the elastic restoring force of the resilient
member, wherein the elastic restoring force acts in a second
direction.
[0006] Preferably, the retracting mechanism is applicable to a
first furniture part and a second furniture part, wherein the first
furniture part includes a fixing member and the second furniture
part is movable in the first direction from a retracted position
with respect to the first furniture part. The elastic restoring
force is able to retract the second furniture part to the retracted
position with respect to the first furniture part. The connecting
member and the catching member are pivotally connected. The
supporting member and the connecting member are pivotally
connected. When the second furniture part reaches a first
predetermined position with respect to the first furniture part by
being moved in the first direction from the retracted position, the
supporting portion of the supporting member is pivoted with respect
to the connecting member from the guiding section of the first path
of the body into engagement with the first bent section. When the
second furniture part reaches a second predetermined position with
respect to the first furniture part by being further moved in the
first direction from the first predetermined position, the catching
member is pivoted with respect to the connecting member, is thereby
disengaged from the fixing member of the first furniture part, and
is moved from the linear section of the second path of the body
into engagement with the second bent section to maintain the
elastic restoring force of the resilient member.
[0007] Preferably, the resilient member is mounted between the
supporting member and the body.
[0008] Preferably, the guiding section is sloped.
[0009] Preferably, the connecting member and the catching member
are pivotally connected by a first shaft, wherein the first shaft
is in the second path.
[0010] Preferably, the supporting member and the connecting member
are pivotally connected by a pivotal connection portion, wherein
the pivotal connection portion is in the second path.
[0011] Preferably, the supporting portion of the supporting member
can be pressed against the guiding section in order to move along
the guiding section and approach the first bent section
progressively.
[0012] Preferably, the retracting mechanism further includes a
buffer device arranged between the body and the catching
member.
[0013] Preferably, the second direction and the first direction are
opposite directions.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
retracting mechanism includes a body, a catching member, a
connecting member, a supporting member, and a resilient member. The
body includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging
portion. The catching member and the body can move with respect to
each other. The connecting member and the catching member are
pivotally connected. The supporting member and the connecting
member are pivotally connected. The supporting member includes a
supporting portion. While one of the body and the catching member
is being moved with respect to the other in a first direction, the
resilient member accumulates an elastic restoring force in a second
direction. When the one of the body and the catching member reaches
a first predetermined position with respect to the other by being
moved in the first direction, the supporting portion of the
supporting member is pivoted with respect to the connecting member
into engagement with the first engaging portion of the body. While
the one of the body and the catching member is being further moved
with respect to the other in the first direction, the supporting
portion of the supporting member is engaged with the first engaging
portion of the body to help overcome the elastic restoring force of
the resilient member in the second direction. When the one of the
body and the catching member reaches a second predetermined
position by being further moved with respect to the other in the
first direction, the catching member is pivoted with respect to the
connecting member into engagement with the second engaging portion
of the body to maintain the elastic restoring force of the
resilient member in the second direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the furniture system in an
embodiment of the present invention, with the uppermost drawer
removed;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slide rail assembly in an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the slide rail
assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the retracting
mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an assembled view of the retracting mechanism in
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 shows that a body of the retracting mechanism in an
embodiment of the present invention is at a retracted position with
respect to the catching member;
[0021] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the circled area A in FIG.
6;
[0022] FIG. 8 shows the body in an embodiment of the present
invention moved in a first direction from the retracted position
with respect to the catching member;
[0023] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the circled area A in FIG.
8;
[0024] FIG. 10 shows the body in an embodiment of the present
invention reaching a first predetermined position with respect to
the catching member after being moved in the first direction;
[0025] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the circled area A in FIG.
10;
[0026] FIG. 12 shows the body in an embodiment of the present
invention further moved with respect to the catching member in the
first direction;
[0027] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the circled area A in FIG.
12;
[0028] FIG. 14 shows the body in an embodiment of the present
invention reaching a second predetermined position with respect to
the catching member after being further moved in the first
direction; and
[0029] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the circled area A in FIG.
14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the furniture system 20 in an
embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet frame 22 and
at least one drawer 24. Here, a plurality of drawers 24 are
provided by way of example. Preferably, each drawer 24 is mounted
to the cabinet frame 22 by a pair of slide rail assemblies 26. More
specifically, each slide rail assembly 26 includes a first rail 28
and a second rail 30 longitudinally movable with respect to the
first rail 28. Each slide rail assembly 26 preferably further
includes a third rail 32 for increasing the maximum distance for
which the corresponding second rail 30 can be moved with respect to
the corresponding first rail 28. The first rails 28 are connected
(e.g., fixedly connected) to the cabinet frame 22. The second rails
30 are configured to support the drawers 24 so that each drawer 24
can be easily opened and closed with respect to the cabinet frame
22 or the corresponding first rails 28 via the corresponding second
rails 30. In this embodiment, and by way of example, an arbitrary
one of the first rails 28 (or the cabinet frame 22) is referred to
as the first furniture part, and the corresponding second rail 30
(or the corresponding drawer 24) is referred to as the second
furniture part. In practice, however, the first furniture part and
the second furniture part are not limited to the foregoing.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a retracting mechanism 34 in this embodiment.
The retracting mechanism 34 is applied to the first furniture part
and the second furniture part (e.g., the first rail 28 and the
second rail 30 of the slide rail assembly 26 shown) of the
furniture system 20.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the third rail 32 of the slide rail
assembly 26 is movably mounted between the first rail 28 and the
second rail 30. Furthermore, the first rail 28 includes a fixing
member 36 with a fixing portion 38. Here, the fixing member 36 is
fixedly connected to the first rail 28 at a position adjacent to
the rear end of the first rail 28. The retracting mechanism 34, on
the other hand, is arranged on the second rail 30 by way of
example; that is to say, the retracting mechanism 34 can be moved
with respect to the first rail 28 along with the second rail
30.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the retracting mechanism 34
includes at least one body 40, a catching member 42, a connecting
member 44, a supporting member 46, and a resilient member 48.
Preferably, the retracting mechanism 34 further includes a buffer
device 50.
[0034] In this embodiment, the retracting mechanism 34 has two
bodies 40 by way of example, and the two bodies 40 are assembled
together by a connecting means such as mechanical engagement,
fastening, or threaded connection, without limitation. The two
bodies 40 have substantially corresponding structural
configurations and each serve as a structure where the catching
member 42, the connecting member 44, the supporting member 46, the
resilient member 48, and/or the buffer device 50 can be
mounted.
[0035] Each body 40 includes a first path 52 and a second path 54
spaced apart from the first path 52 (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 7). The
first path 52 includes a guiding section 55 with a first end 53a
and a second end 53b. The second end 53b is opposite and away from
the first end 53a, and there is a height difference h between the
first end 53a and the second end 53b. The guiding section 55 is
preferably sloped and may be an inclined or curved surface for
example. The first path 52 further includes a first bent section 57
adjacent to the second end 53b of the guiding section 55. The
second path 54 includes a linear section 58a and a second bent
section 58b, wherein the second bent section 58b is curved with
respect to and in communication with the linear section 58a. The
linear section 58a of the second path 54 has a greater length than
the guiding section 55 of the first path 52. In this embodiment,
each body 40 further includes a first engaging portion 60 and a
second engaging portion 62. The first engaging portion 60 is
adjacent to the first bent portion 57 while the second engaging
portion 62 is adjacent to the second bent section 58b.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the catching member 42 and
the bodies 40 can move with respect to each other. For example, the
catching member 42 and the bodies 40 can move with respect to each
other via the second paths 54. The catching member 42 is connected
to the connecting member 44. For example, the catching member 42
and the connecting member 44 are pivotally connected by a first
shaft 64. In this embodiment, and by way of example, the catching
member 42 includes the first shaft 64 to enable pivotal connection
with the connecting member 44. The first shaft 64 is in the second
paths 54, e.g., in the linear sections 58a of the second paths 54.
Here, the catching member 42 further includes a second shaft 66, a
catching feature 68, and a disengaging feature 70. The second shaft
66 is also in the second paths 54. The catching feature 68 is an
engaging structure, and the disengaging feature 70 is a wall, both
by way of example.
[0037] The supporting member 46 is connected to the connecting
member 44. For example, the supporting member 46 and the connecting
member 44 are pivotally connected by a pivotal connection portion
72. Here, by way of example, the supporting member 46 includes the
pivotal connection portion 72 to enable pivotal connection with the
connecting member 44. The pivotal connection portion 72 is in the
second paths 54, e.g., in the linear sections 58a of the second
paths 54. Besides, the supporting member 46 includes a supporting
portion 74 in the first paths 52. Preferably, the supporting member
46 further includes a mounting portion 78.
[0038] The resilient member 48 is configured to apply an elastic
restoring force acting between the catching member 42 and the
bodies 40. For example, the resilient member 48 is mounted between
the supporting member 46 (e.g., the mounting portion 78 of the
supporting member 46) and connecting portions 80 of the bodies
40.
[0039] The buffer device 50 is arranged between the bodies 40 and
the catching member 42 and includes a cylinder 82 and a buffer rod
84, wherein the buffer rod 84 is configured to be pressed against
the catching member 42. As the working principle of the buffer
device 50 is well known in the art, further description is omitted
herein for the sake of brevity.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the retracting mechanism 34,
which is arranged on one of the second rails 30 of the furniture
system 20 and can therefore be used to represent the second rail
30, is shown at a retracted position P with respect to the fixing
member 36, which is part of the corresponding first rail 28 and can
therefore be used to represent the corresponding first rail 28.
That is to say, in the state shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the second
rail 30 corresponding to the retracting mechanism 34 is at the
retracted position P with respect to the first rail 28
corresponding to the fixing member 36.
[0041] More specifically, when the second rail 30 corresponding to
the retracting mechanism 34 in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is at the
retracted position P with respect to the first rail 28
corresponding to the fixing member 36 in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the
catching feature 68 of the catching member 42 of the retracting
mechanism 34 is engaged with the fixing portion 38 of the fixing
member 36 of the first rail 28. Moreover, the catching member 42
responds to the elastic restoring force of the resilient member 48
by keeping the retracting mechanism 34 at the retracted position P.
On the other hand, the buffer rod 84 of the buffer device 50 is in
a retracted state with respect to the cylinder 82.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIG. 6, one of the
body 40 and the catching member 42 is moved with respect to the
other in a first direction D1. In this embodiment, when a user
applies an operating force to the second rail 30 and thereby moves
the second rail 30 in the first direction D1 from the retracted
position P with respect to the first rail 28, the body 40 is moved
in the first direction D1 with respect to the catching member 42
due to the fact that the catching member 42 is engaged with the
fixing portion 38 of the fixing member 36 of the first rail 28.
[0043] More specifically, in the course in which the body 40 is
moved in the first direction D1 with respect to the catching member
42, the resilient member 48 accumulates an elastic restoring force
in a second direction D2 in response to the movement of the body
40, wherein the second direction D2 is the opposite direction of
the first direction D1. (The user's operating force, therefore,
must be greater than the elastic restoring force of the resilient
member 48 in order to move the body 40 in the first direction D1.)
On the other hand, the buffer rod 84 of the buffer device 50 is
gradually extended with respect to the cylinder 82. Moreover, in
response to the body 40 moving in the first direction D1, the
second shaft 66 of the catching member 42 is moved along the linear
section 58a of the second path 54 of the body 40 and thus
approaches the second bent section 58b gradually, and the
supporting portion 74 of the supporting member 46 is moved along
the guiding section 55 of the first path 52 of the body 40 and thus
approaches the first bent section 57 gradually. The supporting
portion 74 of the supporting member 46 is preferably pressed
against the guiding section 55 so as to approach the first bent
section 57 progressively along the guiding section 55 (see FIG.
9).
[0044] Referring to FIG. 10 in conjunction with FIG. 8, when the
body 40 is further moved in the first direction D1 and reaches a
first predetermined position P1 with respect to the catching member
42, the second shaft 66 of the catching member 42 can be further
moved along the linear section 58a of the second path 54 of the
body 40 to approach the second bent section 58b gradually. On the
other hand, the supporting portion 74 of the supporting member 46
is pivoted with respect to the connecting member 44 along the
guiding section 55, enters the first bent section 57, and becomes
engaged with the first engaging portion 60. In other words, the
supporting portion 74 of the supporting member 46 is moved from the
guiding section 55 of the first path 52 of the body 40 into
engagement with the first bent section 57 (see FIG. 9 and FIG.
11).
[0045] Referring to FIG. 12 in conjunction with FIG. 10, while the
body 40 is being further moved in the first direction D1 from the
first predetermined position P1 with respect to the catching member
42, the supporting portion 74 of the supporting member 46 is
engaged with the first engaging portion 60 of the body 40 to enable
the body 40 to overcome the elastic restoring force of the
resilient member 48, which force acts in the second direction D2.
That is to say, with the supporting portion 74 of the supporting
member 46 engaged with the first engaging portion 60 and serving as
a fulcrum to provide leverage, the operating force required to be
applied to the second rail 30 or the body 40 can be reduced,
allowing the operator to move the second rail 30 or the body 40 in
the first direction D1 with ease (see FIG. 13).
[0046] Referring to FIG. 14 in conjunction with FIG. 12, when the
body 40 is further moved in the first direction D1 and reaches a
second predetermined position P2 with respect to the catching
member 42, the catching member 42 is pivoted with respect to the
connecting member 44 and is thereby disengaged from the fixing
portion 38 of the fixing member 36 of the first rail 28, and the
second shaft 66 of the catching member 42 is engaged with the
second engaging portion 62 of the body 40. Thus, the catching
member 42 is moved from the linear section 58a of the second path
54 of the body 40 into engagement with the second bent section 58b
(see FIG. 15) to maintain the elastic restoring force of the
resilient member 48, which force acts in the second direction D2.
On the other hand, the supporting member 46 is further pivoted with
respect to the connecting member 44, and the buffer rod 84 of the
buffer device 50 is fully extended with respect to the cylinder 82
into a buffer-ready state.
[0047] It is worth mentioning that, when the second rail 30 is
subsequently retracted in the second direction D2 from the second
predetermined position P2 toward the retracted position P with
respect to the first rail 28 and enters the last stage of the
retracing process, the disengaging feature 70 of the catching
member 42 comes into contact with the fixing portion 38 of the
fixing member 36 of the first rail 28, thus bringing the catching
feature 68 of the catching member 42 into engagement with the
fixing portion 38 of the fixing member 36 again, allowing the
resilient member 48 to release its elastic restoring force, which
acts in the second direction D2. Consequently, the second rail 30
is retracted with respect to the first rail 28 in the second
direction D2 until the retracted position P is reached, and the
body 40 is thus retracted in the second direction D2 to the
retracted position P with respect to the catching member 42 (the
process of which can be understood by referring sequentially to
FIG. 12, FIG. 10, FIG. 8, and FIG. 6). In addition, the buffer
device 50 provides a buffering effect during the process of
retraction toward the retracted position P. As the buffering
mechanism is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof
is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.
[0048] While the present invention has been disclosed through the
foregoing preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the
embodiment is not intended to be restrictive of the scope of the
invention. The scope of patent protection sought by the applicant
is defined by the appended claims.
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