U.S. patent application number 16/824714 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for slide rail mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is KING SLIDE TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD., KING SLIDE WORKS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Wei-Chen Chang, Ken-Ching Chen, Chun-Chiang Wang, Shun-Ho Yang.
Application Number | 20210148403 16/824714 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005565011 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20210148403 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Ken-Ching ; et
al. |
May 20, 2021 |
SLIDE RAIL MECHANISM
Abstract
A slide rail mechanism includes a rail member, a supporting
member, a first bracket and a fastening member. The rail member
includes an upper wall, a lower wall and a longitudinal wall
connected between the upper wall and the lower wall. The supporting
member and the rail member are capable of moving relative to each
other along a longitudinal direction. The supporting member
includes an upper supporting portion, a lower supporting portion
and a longitudinal portion connected between the upper supporting
portion and the lower supporting portion. The first bracket and the
supporting member are capable of moving relative to each other
along the longitudinal direction. The fastening member is capable
of in one of a first state and a second state relative to the first
bracket.
Inventors: |
Chen; Ken-Ching; (Kaohsiung
City, TW) ; Yang; Shun-Ho; (Kaohsiung City, TW)
; Chang; Wei-Chen; (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: |
1000005565011 |
Appl. No.: |
16/824714 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 29/02 20130101;
F16C 29/004 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16C 29/00 20060101
F16C029/00; F16C 29/02 20060101 F16C029/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 19, 2019 |
TW |
108142244 |
Claims
1. A slide rail mechanism, comprising: a rail member comprising an
upper wall, a lower wall and a longitudinal wall connected between
the upper wall and the lower wall; a supporting member, the
supporting member and the rail member capable of moving relative to
each other along a longitudinal direction, the supporting member
comprising an upper supporting portion, a lower supporting portion
and a longitudinal portion connected between the upper supporting
portion and the lower supporting portion; a first bracket, the
first bracket and the supporting member capable of moving relative
to each other along the longitudinal direction; and a fastening
member capable of in one of a first state and a second state
relative to the first bracket; wherein the upper supporting portion
of the supporting member wraps a portion of the upper wall of the
rail member, and the lower supporting portion of the supporting
member wraps a portion of the lower wall of the rail member;
wherein when the supporting member is moved from a first position
to a second position relative to the first bracket, the supporting
member is capable of driving the fastening member to change from
the first state to the second state.
2. The slide rail mechanism of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal
wall of the rail member has a first side, the slide rail mechanism
further comprises a reinforcement member connected to the first
side of the rail member.
3. The slide rail mechanism of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal
wall of the rail member further has a second side opposite to the
first side, and the slide rail mechanism further comprises a
movable rail arranged at the second side of the rail member.
4. The slide rail mechanism of claim 2, further comprising: a
second bracket mounted to one of the reinforcement member and the
rail member.
5. The slide rail mechanism of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement
member comprises an upper edge wall, a lower edge wall and an
extension wall connected between the upper edge wall and the lower
edge wall, the reinforcement member is connected to the first side
of the rail member through the extension wall.
6. The slide rail mechanism of claim 5, wherein the lower
supporting portion of the supporting member has a first section and
a second section, the first section is configured to support the
lower wall of the rail member, the second section is bent relative
to the first section, and the second section is extended to
adjacent to a side of the lower wall of the rail member.
7. The slide rail mechanism of claim 6, wherein the upper
supporting portion of the supporting member has a third section and
a fourth section, the third section is configured to support the
upper wall of the rail member, the fourth section is bent relative
to the third section, and the fourth section is extended to
adjacent to a side of the upper wall of the rail member.
8. The slide rail mechanism of claim 7, wherein the longitudinal
portion and the lower supporting portion of the supporting member
are connected through at least one first bend portion, and the
longitudinal portion and the upper supporting portion of the
supporting member are connected through at least one second bend
portion.
9. The slide rail mechanism of claim 8, wherein the longitudinal
portion, the at least one first bend portion and the at least one
second bend portion of the supporting member together define a
space, and a position of the reinforcement member is corresponding
to the space.
10. The slide rail mechanism of claim 8, wherein one of the at
least one first bend portion and the at least one second bend
portion of the supporting member is configured to support the first
side of the longitudinal wall of the rail member.
11. The slide rail mechanism of claim 1, wherein one of the
supporting member and the rail member is arranged with a first
block feature, the other one of the supporting member and the rail
member is arranged with a second block feature, when the supporting
member is moved from a first predetermined position to a second
predetermined position relative to the rail member, the first block
feature and the second block feature are capable of blocking each
other.
12. The slide rail mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: an
auxiliary member connected to the supporting member, the first
bracket being movably mounted to the auxiliary member.
13. The slide rail mechanism of claim 12, wherein one of the
auxiliary member and the first bracket is arranged with a limiting
feature, and the other one of the auxiliary member and the first
bracket is arranged with a connection member passing through a
portion of the limiting feature.
14. The slide rail mechanism of claim 12, wherein the auxiliary
member is arranged with a first driving portion, when the
supporting member is moved from the first position to the second
position relative to the first bracket, the supporting member
drives the fastening member to change from the first state to the
second state through the first driving portion of the auxiliary
member.
15. The slide rail mechanism of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary
member is further arranged with a second driving portion, when the
supporting member is moved from the second position to the first
position relative to the first bracket, the supporting member
drives the fastening member to recover from the second state to the
first state through the second driving portion of the auxiliary
member.
16. The slide rail mechanism of claim 1, wherein one of the
supporting member and the first bracket is arranged with a first
structure, the other one of the supporting member and the first
bracket is arranged with a second structure, when the supporting
member is located at the second position, the supporting member is
capable of being kept at the second position through cooperation
between the first structure and the second structure.
17. The slide rail mechanism of claim 16, wherein one of the
supporting member and the first bracket is arranged with a third
structure, the other one of the supporting member and the first
bracket is arranged with a fourth structure, when the supporting
member is located at the second position, the supporting member is
capable of being kept at the second position through cooperation
between the third structure and the fourth structure.
18. A slide rail mechanism, comprising: a rail member; a supporting
member, the supporting member and the rail member capable of moving
relative to each other along a longitudinal direction; a first
bracket, the first bracket and the supporting member capable of
moving relative to each other along the longitudinal direction; and
a fastening member capable of in one of a first state and a second
state relative to the first bracket; wherein one of the supporting
member and the first bracket is arranged with a first structure,
and the other one of the supporting member and the first bracket is
arranged with a second structure; wherein when the supporting
member is moved from a first position to a second position relative
to the first bracket, the supporting member is capable of being
kept at the second position through cooperation between the first
structure and the second structure.
19. The slide rail mechanism of claim 18, wherein the rail member
comprises an upper wall, a lower wall and a longitudinal wall
connected between the upper wall and the lower wall, the supporting
member comprises an upper supporting portion, a lower supporting
portion and a longitudinal portion connected between the upper
supporting portion and the lower supporting portion, the upper
supporting portion of the supporting member wraps a portion of the
upper wall of the rail member, and the lower supporting portion of
the supporting member wraps a portion of the lower wall of the rail
member.
20. The slide rail mechanism of claim 18, wherein when the
supporting member is moved from the first position to the second
position relative to the first bracket, the supporting member is
capable of driving the fastening member to change from the first
state to the second state.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and
more particularly, to a slide rail mechanism capable of improving
support capability of a slide rail.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] As shown in the US patent with U.S. Pat. No. 10,306,983 B2,
a slide rail mechanism including a rail member, a first supporting
frame, a second supporting frame and a bracket is disclosed. The
rail member, the first supporting frame, the second supporting
frame and the bracket together form a three-section telescopic
bracket device. In the slide rail mechanism, the rail member (or a
movable rail mounted on the rail member) is configured to support a
weight of a carried object. In accordance with different needs, the
weight of the carried object may be increased. In the situation,
the support capability of the rail member is required to be
increased.
[0005] Thus, development of a different slide rail product becomes
an important issue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a slide
rail mechanism includes a rail member, a supporting member, a first
bracket and a fastening member. The rail member includes an upper
wall, a lower wall and a longitudinal wall connected between the
upper wall and the lower wall. The supporting member and the rail
member are capable of moving relative to each other along a
longitudinal direction. The supporting member includes an upper
supporting portion, a lower supporting portion and a longitudinal
portion connected between the upper supporting portion and the
lower supporting portion. The first bracket and the supporting
member are capable of moving relative to each other along the
longitudinal direction. The fastening member is capable of in one
of a first state and a second state relative to the first bracket.
The upper supporting portion of the supporting member wraps a
portion of the upper wall of the rail member, and the lower
supporting portion of the supporting member wraps a portion of the
lower wall of the rail member. When the supporting member is moved
from a first position to a second position relative to the first
bracket, the supporting member is capable of driving the fastening
member to change from the first state to the second state.
[0007] Preferably, the longitudinal wall of the rail member has a
first side. The slide rail mechanism further includes a
reinforcement member connected to the first side of the rail
member.
[0008] Preferably, the longitudinal wall of the rail member further
has a second side opposite to the first side. The slide rail
mechanism further includes a movable rail arranged at the second
side of the rail member.
[0009] Preferably, the slide rail mechanism further includes a
second bracket mounted to one of the reinforcement member and the
rail member.
[0010] Preferably, the reinforcement member includes an upper edge
wall, a lower edge wall and an extension wall connected between the
upper edge wall and the lower edge wall. The reinforcement member
is connected to the first side of the rail member through the
extension wall.
[0011] Preferably, the lower supporting portion of the supporting
member has a first section and a second section. The first section
is configured to support the lower wall of the rail member. The
second section is bent relative to the first section. The second
section is extended to adjacent to a side of the lower wall of the
rail member.
[0012] Preferably, the upper supporting portion of the supporting
member has a third section and a fourth section. The third section
is configured to support the upper wall of the rail member. The
fourth section is bent relative to the third section. The fourth
section is extended to adjacent to a side of the upper wall of the
rail member.
[0013] Preferably, the longitudinal portion and the lower
supporting portion of the supporting member are connected through
at least one first bend portion. The longitudinal portion and the
upper supporting portion of the supporting member are connected
through at least one second bend portion.
[0014] Preferably, the longitudinal portion, the at least one first
bend portion and the at least one second bend portion of the
supporting member together define a space. A position of the
reinforcement member is corresponding to the space.
[0015] Preferably, one of the at least one first bend portion and
the at least one second bend portion of the supporting member is
configured to support the first side of the longitudinal wall of
the rail member.
[0016] Preferably, one of the supporting member and the rail member
is arranged with a first block feature, and the other one of the
supporting member and the rail member is arranged with a second
block feature. When the supporting member is moved from a first
predetermined position to a second predetermined position relative
to the rail member, the first block feature and the second block
feature are capable of blocking each other.
[0017] Preferably, the slide rail mechanism further includes an
auxiliary member connected to the supporting member. The first
bracket is movably mounted to the auxiliary member.
[0018] Preferably, one of the auxiliary member and the first
bracket is arranged with a limiting feature, and the other one of
the auxiliary member and the first bracket is arranged with a
connection member passing through a portion of the limiting
feature.
[0019] Preferably, the auxiliary member is arranged with a first
driving portion. When the supporting member is moved from the first
position to the second position relative to the first bracket, the
supporting member drives the fastening member to change from the
first state to the second state through the first driving portion
of the auxiliary member.
[0020] Preferably, the auxiliary member is further arranged with a
second driving portion. When the supporting member is moved from
the second position to the first position relative to the first
bracket, the supporting member drives the fastening member to
recover from the second state to the first state through the second
driving portion of the auxiliary member.
[0021] Preferably, one of the supporting member and the first
bracket is arranged with a first structure, the other one of the
supporting member and the first bracket is arranged with a second
structure. When the supporting member is located at the second
position, the supporting member is capable of being kept at the
second position through cooperation between the first structure and
the second structure.
[0022] Preferably, one of the supporting member and the first
bracket is arranged with a third structure, the other one of the
supporting member and the first bracket is arranged with a fourth
structure. When the supporting member is located at the second
position, the supporting member is capable of being kept at the
second position through cooperation between the third structure and
the fourth structure.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
slide rail mechanism includes a rail member, a supporting member, a
first bracket and a fastening member. The supporting member and the
rail member are capable of moving relative to each other along a
longitudinal direction. The first bracket and the supporting member
are capable of moving relative to each other along the longitudinal
direction. The fastening member is capable of in one of a first
state and a second state relative to the first bracket. One of the
supporting member and the first bracket is arranged with a first
structure, and the other one of the supporting member and the first
bracket is arranged with a second structure. When the supporting
member is moved from a first position to a second position relative
to the first bracket, the supporting member is capable of being
kept at the second position through cooperation between the first
structure and the second structure.
[0024] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional diagram showing a slide rail
mechanism including a first bracket and a second bracket together
defining a first length according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional diagram showing the slide rail
mechanism including the first bracket and the second bracket
together defining a second length according to the embodiment of
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded diagram showing the slide rail
mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an exploded diagram showing a supporting member
and the first bracket of the slide rail mechanism according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an exploded diagram of an auxiliary member, a
first locking member and a second locking member of the slide rail
mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a combination diagram of the auxiliary member, the
first locking member and the second locking member of the slide
rail mechanism according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional diagram showing the second
locking member of the slide rail mechanism according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the slide rail mechanism
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the supporting member
of the slide rail mechanism located at a first position relative to
the first bracket according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the supporting member
of the slide rail mechanism located at a second position relative
to the first bracket according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the supporting member
of the slide rail mechanism located at the first position relative
to the first bracket in another view angle according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the supporting member
of the slide rail mechanism located at the second position relative
to the first bracket in another view angle according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the supporting member
of the slide rail mechanism located at the first position relative
to the first bracket in which the fastening member of the first
bracket has not yet fastened to a first post of a rack according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the supporting member
of the slide rail mechanism located at the second position relative
to the first bracket in which the fastening member of the first
bracket has fastened to the first post of the rack according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the slide rail
mechanism mounted to the first post and a second post according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 16 is a three-dimensional diagram showing an accessory
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] In the following description, the phrase "longitudinal
direction" refers to a direction parallel to an extending direction
of a rail member. The phrase "transverse direction" refers a
direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the rail
member. When a component is "mounted on" or "connected to" another
component, the components can be directly mounted on or directly
connected to the another component, or there can be other
components disposed between the two components. In contrary, when a
component is "directly mounted on" or "directly connected to"
another component, there are no other components disposed between
the two components.
[0042] In FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the slide rail mechanism 20
according to the present invention includes a rail member 22, a
supporting member 24, a first bracket 26 and a fastening member 28.
Preferably, the slide rail mechanism 20 further includes a
reinforcement member 30, an auxiliary member 32 and a second
bracket 34.
[0043] The rail member 22 includes an upper wall 36a, a lower wall
36b and a longitudinal wall 38 connected between the upper wall 36a
and the lower wall 36b. Preferably, the longitudinal wall 38 of the
rail member 22 is arranged with a releasing space 37 adjacent to an
end portion of the rail member 22. Herein, the releasing space 37
is a hole, which is only exemplary. In other embodiment, the
releasing space 37 can be a groove, and the present invention is
not limited thereto. Furthermore, the reinforcement member 30 is
connected (such as fixedly connected) to the longitudinal wall 38
of the rail member 22, and thus can be regarded as a portion of the
rail member 22. The reinforcement member 30 is arranged to away
from the releasing space 37. The reinforcement member 30 includes a
plurality of walls which define a reinforcement passage 40. The
second bracket 34 is mounted to one of the reinforcement member 30
and the rail member 22. Herein, the second bracket 34 is mounted to
the reinforcement member 30, which is only exemplary. Specifically,
the second bracket 34 is movably mounted to the reinforcement
passage 40 of the reinforcement member 30 through an extension
member 42. Preferably, the extension member 42 and the
reinforcement member 30 have a first block structure 44 and a
second block structure 46, respectively. The first block structure
44 and the second block structure 46 are cooperated with each
other. Herein, both of the first block structure 44 and the second
block structure 46 are protrusions, which is only exemplary, and
the present invention is not limited thereto. With the arrangement,
when the second bracket 34 is located at a position relative to the
reinforcement member 30, the first block structure 44 and the
second block structure 46 are capable of blocking each other.
Specifically, the first block structure 44 is protruded towards the
reinforcement member 30, and the second block structure 46 is
protruded towards the extension member 42.
[0044] The supporting member 24 and the rail member 22 are capable
of moving relative to each other along a longitudinal direction.
The supporting member 24 includes an upper supporting portion 48a,
a lower supporting portion 48b and a longitudinal portion 50
connected between the upper supporting portion 48a and the lower
supporting portion 48b. Preferably, the auxiliary member 32 is
connected to the supporting member 24. Herein, the auxiliary member
32 is fixedly connected to the supporting member 24, and thus can
be regarded as a portion of the supporting member 24. In other
embodiment, the auxiliary member 32 can be integrally formed on the
supporting member 24.
[0045] The first bracket 26 and the supporting member 24 are
capable of moving relative to each other along the longitudinal
direction. Herein, the first bracket 26 is movably mounted to the
auxiliary member 32, but the present invention is not limited
thereto. Further, the fastening member 28 is movable relative to
the first bracket 26.
[0046] Preferably, the supporting member 24 is arranged with a
first block feature 52, and the rail member 22 is arranged with a
second block feature 54. Herein, the first block feature 52 and the
second block feature 54 are extra components connected to the
supporting member 24 and the rail member 22, respectively. In other
embodiment, the first block feature 52 can be integrally formed on
the supporting member 24, and the second block feature 54 can be
integrally formed on the rail member 22, and the present invention
is not limited thereto. When the supporting member 24 is moved from
a first predetermined position X1 (shown in FIG. 1) to a second
predetermined position X2 (shown in FIG. 2) relative to the rail
member 22, the first block feature 52 and the second block feature
54 are capable of blocking each other. When the supporting member
24 is located at the first predetermined position X1, a first
length A1 is defined between the first bracket 26 and the second
bracket 34. When the supporting member 24 is located at the second
predetermined position X2, the second block feature 54 blocks the
first block feature 52, and a second length A2 is defined between
the first bracket 26 and the second bracket 34. The second length
A2 is longer than the first length A1.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the auxiliary member 32 is
fixedly connected to the supporting member 24 through a fixing part
60. Moreover, the auxiliary member 32 is arranged with a limiting
feature 62 (such as a longitudinal hole or groove with a boundary,
but the invention is not limited thereto). The first bracket 26 is
arranged with a connection member 64 passing through a portion of
the limiting feature 62, such that the first bracket 26 and the
auxiliary member 32 are movable relative to each other.
Specifically, the connection member 64 has an inserting portion
64a, and the inserting portion 64a is inserted in the limiting
feature 62, a longitudinal length of the inserting portion 64a is
less than a longitudinal length of the limiting feature 62, such
that the inserting portion 64a is movable in the limiting feature
62 along the longitudinal direction, which enables the first
bracket 26 to be movable relative to the auxiliary member 32/the
supporting member 24 along the longitudinal direction. More
specifically, the limiting feature 62 has a first end 62a and a
second end 62b, and the inserting portion 64a is switchable between
the first end 62a and the second end 62b. That is, the inserting
portion 64a of the connection member 64 is capable of moving
longitudinally along the limiting feature 62 between the first end
62a and the second end 62b.
[0048] Preferably, the fastening member 28 is pivotally connected
to the first bracket 26 through a shaft member 66. Specifically,
the fastening member 28 includes a main body 65 and a fastening
portion 67 connected to the main body 65. The main body 65 includes
a first contact portion 68 and a second contact portion 70. The
shaft member 66 is substantially located between the first contact
portion 68 and the second contact portion 70.
[0049] More specifically, the first bracket 26 includes an
extension portion 26a. The extension portion 26a is extended from a
bottom of the first bracket 26 along a transverse direction. The
extension portion 26a is formed with a pivot hole 26b. The shaft
member 66 is passed through the pivot hole 26b and is pivotally
connected to the first bracket 26. The fastening member 28 is
disposed at the bottom of the first bracket 26. The first contact
portion 68 and the second contact portion 70 of the fastening
member 28 are located at a side of the first bracket 26, which is
the same as the side where the extension portion 26a of the first
bracket 26 located. The fastening portion 67 of the fastening
member 28 is located at another side of the first bracket 26, which
is different from the side where the extension portion 26a of the
first bracket 26 located.
[0050] Moreover, the auxiliary member 32 is arranged with a first
driving portion 72 and a second driving portion 74. The first
driving portion 72 and the second driving portion 74 can be
integrally formed on an accessory 71. The accessory 71 can be
fixedly connected to the auxiliary member 32, and thus can be
regarded as a portion of the auxiliary member 32. Alternatively, in
other embodiment, the first driving portion 72 and the second
driving portion 74 can be integrally formed on the auxiliary member
32, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0051] Preferably, the first driving portion 72 and the second
driving portion 74 can be arranged at a side of the auxiliary
member 32 (shown in FIG. 4). Herein, the first driving portion 72
and the second driving portion 74 are arranged at a bottom of the
auxiliary member 32. The first driving portion 72 and the second
driving portion 74 are arranged at the side of the auxiliary member
32 away from the first bracket 26. The first driving portion 72 and
the second driving portion 74 are extended towards the first
bracket 26. The first driving portion 72 is corresponding to the
first contact portion 68. The second driving portion 74 is
corresponding to the second contact portion 70.
[0052] Moreover, a first structure 76 is arranged at another side
of the auxiliary member 32 (shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6), and the
first bracket 26 is arranged with a second structure 78 (shown in
FIG. 4). The second structure 78 is configured to cooperate with
the first structure 76. One of the first structure 76 and the
second structure 78 can be a convex structure, and the other one of
the first structure 76 and the second structure 78 can be a concave
structure (such as a hole or a groove). Herein, the first structure
76 is a convex structure, and is arranged at a side of the
auxiliary member 32 facing towards the first bracket 26. The second
structure 78 is a concave structure, and the first structure 76 is
capable of engaging with the second structure 78. In other
embodiment, the first structure 76 can be a concave structure, the
second structure 78 can be a convex structure, and the second
structure 78 can be arranged at a side of the first bracket 26
facing towards the auxiliary member 32. The second structure 78 is
capable of engaging with the first structure 76. Herein, the first
structure 76 is arranged at a first locking member 80, and the
first locking member 80 is fixed to the auxiliary member 32 (or the
supporting member 24)), which is only exemplary. Alternatively, in
other embodiment, the first structure 76 can be directly integrally
formed on the auxiliary member 32, and the present invention is not
limited thereto. Herein, the second structure 78 is arranged on a
corresponding structure 79. The corresponding structure 79 is a
convex structure formed on the first bracket 26, and the convex
structure (i.e., the corresponding structure 79) is formed by
stamping and is integrally formed on the first bracket 26.
[0053] Preferably, the first structure 76 includes at least one
guiding portion 77, and the guiding portion 77 includes an inclined
surface or a curved surface.
[0054] Preferably, the first locking member 80 includes a first
elastic section 81, and the first structure 76 is arranged at the
first elastic section 81. Herein, the first elastic section 81 is
formed with an elongated hole 83 for adjusting (such as increasing)
the elasticity of the first elastic section 81.
[0055] Preferably, the auxiliary member 32 is arranged with a third
structure 82 (shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6), and the first bracket 26
is arranged with a fourth structure 84 (shown in FIG. 4). The
fourth structure 84 is configured to cooperate with the third
structure 82. One of the third structure 82 and the fourth
structure 84 can be a convex structure, and the other one of the
third structure 82 and the fourth structure 84 can be a concave
structure (such as a hole or a groove). Herein, the third structure
82 is arranged at a second locking member 86, and the second
locking member 86 is fixed to the auxiliary member 32 (or the
supporting member 24). Herein, the fourth structure 84 is arranged
on the corresponding structure 79. The third structure 82 is a
protruding structure, the fourth structure 84 is a slot structure,
and the third structure 82 is capable of engaging with the fourth
structure 84. In other embodiment, the third structure 82 can be a
slot structure, the fourth structure 84 can be a protruding
structure, and the fourth structure 84 is capable of engaging with
the third structure 82.
[0056] Preferably, the first bracket 26 is further arranged with a
supporting feature 85 adjacent to the fourth structure 84, and the
supporting feature 85 includes an inclined surface or a curved
surface. Herein, the supporting feature 85 is arranged on the
corresponding structure 79, which is only exemplary.
[0057] Preferably, the second locking member 86 includes a second
elastic section 88. The third structure 82 is arranged at the
second elastic section 88. The number of third structures 82 is two
and the two third structures 82 are disposed on two opposite sides
of the second elastic section 88 and are extended from the second
elastic section 88 along the transverse direction. Herein, the
third structures 82 are formed by stamping and are bent relative to
the second elastic section 88, which is only exemplary and the
present invention is not limited thereto.
[0058] Preferably, the second locking member 86 further includes a
third elastic section 90 adjacent to the second elastic section 88.
The second elastic section 88 and the third elastic section 90 are
extended from a fixing section 87 of the second locking member 86.
The fixing section 87 is configured to be fixed on the auxiliary
member 32 (such as by riveting). The third elastic section 90 and
the second elastic section 88 are capable of moving toward each
other or moving away from each other. The third elastic section 90
is arranged with a releasing feature 92 and a corresponding feature
93 (shown in FIG. 7). The releasing feature 92 is located at a side
of the second elastic section 88. For example, the releasing
feature 92 can be an extension leg or an extension arm, and the
present invention is not limited thereto. The corresponding feature
93 includes an inclined surface or a curved surface. The
corresponding feature 93 is configured to cooperate with the
supporting feature 85 of the first bracket 26. Herein, the
releasing feature 92 is extended relative to the third elastic
section 90 along the transverse direction. The releasing feature 92
is bent relative to the third elastic section 90. The corresponding
feature 93 is extended from the third elastic section 90 along the
transverse direction and is bent relative to the third elastic
section 90.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal wall 38 of the rail
member 22 has a first side L1 and a second side L2 opposite to the
first side L1. The reinforcement member 30 is connected to the
first side L1 of the rail member 22. Preferably, the slide rail
mechanism 20 can further include a first movable rail 94 and a
second movable rail 96 arranged at the second side L2 of the rail
member 22. The rail member 22, the first movable rail 94 and the
second movable rail 96 are telescopically connected with each other
and form a three-section slide rail.
[0060] Preferably, the reinforcement member 30 includes an upper
edge wall 98a, a lower edge wall 98b and an extension wall 100
connected between the upper edge wall 98a and the lower edge wall
98b. The reinforcement member 30 is connected to the first side L1
of the rail member 22 through the extension wall 100. The upper
edge wall 98a, the lower edge wall 98b and the extension wall 100
together define the reinforcement passage 40.
[0061] The lower supporting portion 48b of the supporting member 24
wraps a portion of the lower wall 36b of the rail member 22.
Preferably, the lower supporting portion 48b of the supporting
member 24 has a first section K1 and a second section K2. The first
section K1 is configured to support the lower wall 36b of the rail
member 22. The second section K2 is bent relative to the first
section K1, and the second section K2 is extended to adjacent to a
side of the lower wall 36b of the rail member 22.
[0062] The upper supporting portion 48a of the supporting member 24
wraps a portion of the upper wall 36a of the rail member 22.
Preferably, the upper supporting portion 48a of the supporting
member 24 has a third section K3 and a fourth section K4. The third
section K3 is configured to support the upper wall 36a of the rail
member 22. The fourth section K4 is bent relative to the third
section K3, and the fourth section K4 is extended to adjacent to a
side of the upper wall 36a of the rail member 22.
[0063] Preferably, the longitudinal portion 50 and the lower
supporting portion 48b of the supporting member 24 are connected
through at least one first bend portion B1, and the longitudinal
portion 50 and the upper supporting portion 48a of the supporting
member 24 are connected through at least one second bend portion
B2.
[0064] Preferably, the longitudinal portion 50, the at least one
first bend portion B1 and the at least one second bend portion B2
of the supporting member 24 together define a space 101, and a
position of the reinforcement member 30 is corresponding to the
space 101.
[0065] Preferably, one of the at least one first bend portion B1
and the at least one second bend portion B2 of the supporting
member 24 is configured to support the first side L1 of the
longitudinal wall 38 of the rail member 22. Herein, the at least
one first bend portion B1 and the at least one second bend portion
B2 of the supporting member 24 together support the first side L1
of the longitudinal wall 38 of the rail member 22.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the fastening member 28 is
capable of in one of a first state S1 (such as an unlocking state)
and a second state S2 (such as a locking state) relative to the
first bracket 26. When the fastening member 28 is located at the
first state S1 (shown in FIG. 9), the fastening portion 67 of the
fastening member 28 is away from at least one first mounting member
56 of the first bracket 26. When the fastening member 28 is located
at the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 10), the fastening portion 67
of the fastening member 28 is adjacent to the at least one first
mounting member 56 of the first bracket 26. Specifically, the
fastening member 28 can be pivoted relative to the first bracket 26
by the shaft member 66 to switch between the first state S1 and the
second state S2.
[0067] Preferably, one of the first contact portion 68 of the
fastening member 28 and the first driving portion 72 of the
auxiliary member 32 includes a first guiding feature 73 (such as an
inclined surface or a curved surface). Furthermore, one of the
second contact portion 70 of the fastening member 28 and the second
driving portion 74 of the auxiliary member 32 includes a second
guiding feature 75 (such as an inclined surface or a curved
surface). Herein, as shown in FIG. 16, the first driving portion 72
includes the first guiding feature 73, and the second driving
portion 74 includes the second guiding feature 75, which are only
exemplary.
[0068] When the supporting member 24 is moved from a first position
P1 (shown in FIG. 9) to a second position P2 (shown in FIG. 10)
relative to the first bracket 26 along a first direction D1, the
supporting member 24 contacts the first contact portion 68 of the
fastening member 28 through the first driving portion 72 of the
auxiliary member 32, such that the supporting member 24 drives the
fastening member 28 to change from the first state S1 (shown in
FIG. 9) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 10). That is, the
supporting member 24 drives the fastening member 28 to change from
the first state S1 to the second state S2 through the first driving
portion 72 of the auxiliary member 32. Specifically, when the
supporting member 24 is moved from the first position P1 (shown in
FIG. 9) to the second position P2 (shown in FIG. 10) relative to
the first bracket 26 along the first direction D1, the auxiliary
member 32 is driven by the supporting member 24 to move along the
first direction D1, such that the second end 62b of the limiting
feature 62 is moved towards the connection member 64, and the first
end 62a of the limiting feature 62 is moved away from the
connection member 64. The first driving portion 72 of the auxiliary
member 32 contacts and pushes the first contact portion 68 of the
fastening member 28, such that the fastening member 28 is pivoted
to change from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 9) to the second
state S2 (shown in FIG. 10). In other words, when the supporting
member 24 is located at the first position P1 relative to the first
bracket 26, the connection member 64 is located at the first end
62a of the limiting feature 62; when the supporting member 24 is
located at the second position P2 relative to the first bracket 26,
the connection member 64 is located at the second end 62b of the
limiting feature 62.
[0069] In contrary, when the supporting member 24 is moved from the
second position P2 (shown in FIG. 10) to the first position P1
relative to the first bracket 26 along a second direction D2
opposite to the first direction D1, the supporting member 24
contacts the second contact portion 70 of the fastening member 28
through the second driving portion 74 of the auxiliary member 32,
such that the supporting member 24 drives the fastening member 28
to recover from the second state S2(shown in FIG. 10) to the first
state S1 (shown in FIG. 9). That is, the supporting member 24
drives the fastening member 28 to recover from the second state S2
to the first state S1 through the second driving portion 74 of the
auxiliary member 32. Specifically, when the supporting member 24 is
moved from the second position P2 to the first position P1 relative
to the first bracket 26 along the second direction D2 opposite to
the first direction D1, the auxiliary member 32 is driven by the
supporting member 24 to move along the second direction D2, such
that the first end 62a of the limiting feature 62 is moved towards
the connection member 64, and the second end 62b of the limiting
feature 62 is moved away from the connection member 64. The second
driving portion 74 of the auxiliary member 32 contacts and pushes
the second contact portion 70 of the fastening member 28, such that
the fastening member 28 is pivoted to change from the second state
S2 (shown in FIG. 10) to the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 9).
[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, when the supporting member 24 is
located at the first position P1 relative to the first bracket 26,
there is a predetermined distance between the first structure 76 of
the first locking member 80 and the second structure 78 of the
first bracket 26. Preferably, the third elastic section 90 and the
second elastic section 88 are close to each other. There is a
predetermined distance between the third structure 82 of the second
elastic section 88 and the fourth structure 84 of the first bracket
26. Preferably, the third structure 82 of the second elastic
section 88 has a guiding surface 102. For example, the guiding
surface 102 is an inclined surface or a curved surface. Preferably,
the releasing feature 92 of the third elastic section 90 is
corresponding to the releasing space 37 of the rail member 22, and
there is a predetermined distance between the corresponding feature
93 of the third elastic section 90 and the supporting feature 85 of
the first bracket 26.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the supporting member 24 is
capable of moving from the first position P1 (shown in FIG. 11) to
the second position P2 (shown in FIG. 12) relative to the first
bracket 26 along the first direction D1.
[0072] The supporting member 24 is capable of being kept at the
second position P2 through cooperation between the first structure
76 and the second structure 78. For example, the first structure 76
of the first locking member 80 is capable of engaging with the
second structure 78 of the first bracket 26, such that a first lock
mechanism can be provided when the supporting member 24 is located
at the second position P2 relative to the first bracket 26.
[0073] Preferably, the supporting member 24 is capable of being
kept at the second position P2 through cooperation between the
third structure 82 and the fourth structure 84. For example, during
the process that the supporting member 24 moves from the first
position P1 to the second position P2 along the first direction D1,
the corresponding feature 93 of the third elastic section 90
contacts the supporting feature 85 of the first bracket 26 to
generate a force F (shown in FIG. 12), such that the third elastic
section 90 swings an angle in response to the force F, and the
releasing feature 92 of the third elastic section 90 no longer
corresponds to the releasing space 37 of the rail member 22 and is
supported by the longitudinal wall 38 of the rail member 22. At
this moment, the third elastic section 90 can accumulate an elastic
force. The third elastic section 90 no longer closes to the second
elastic section 88, and the third structure 82 of the second
elastic section 88 is capable of engaging with the fourth structure
84 of the first bracket 26, such that a second lock mechanism can
be provided when the supporting member 24 is located at the second
position P2 relative to the first bracket 26.
[0074] Furthermore, when the first structure 76 of the first
locking member 80 is disengaged from the second structure 78 of the
first bracket 26, and the third structure 82 of the second locking
member 86 is disengaged from the fourth structure 84 of the first
bracket 26, the supporting member 24 is capable of returning to the
first position P1 (shown in FIG. 11) from the second position P2
(shown in FIG. 12) relative to the first bracket 26. For example,
as shown in FIG. 12, with the rail member 22 being capable of
moving relative to the supporting member 24 located at the second
position P2 along the first direction D1, the releasing feature 92
of the third elastic section 90 is enable to correspond to the
releasing space 37 of the rail member 22 again, and the third
elastic section 90 releases the elastic force to close to the
second elastic section 88 again, such that the third structure 82
of the second elastic section 88 is disengaged from the fourth
structure 84 of the first bracket 26. Furthermore, with the guiding
portion 77 of the first structure 76, the first structure 76 of the
first elastic section 81 of the first locking member 80 is capable
of disengaging from the second structure 78 of the first bracket 26
during the process that the supporting member 24 returning to the
first position P1 from the second position P2 relative to the first
bracket 26. Alternatively, in other operation mode, the engagement
between the first structure 76 and the second structure 78 and the
engagement between the third structure 82 and the fourth structure
84 can be disengaged manually.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the slide rail mechanism 20
can be mounted to a first post 104a of a rack through the at least
one first mounting member 56 of the first bracket 26. The
supporting member 24 is capable of moving from the first position
P1 (shown in FIG. 13) to the second position P2 (shown in FIG. 14)
along the first direction D1, and the supporting member 24 is
capable of driving the fastening member 28 to change from the first
state S1 (shown in FIG. 13) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG.
14), such that the fastening portion 67 of the fastening member 28
is enable to fasten to the first post 104a. The action principle
that the supporting member 24 drives the fastening member 28 to
change from the first state S1 to the second state S2 is recited
above (FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) and is not repeated for the sake of
conciseness.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 14, with the first structure 76 being
engaged with the second structure 78 (the first lock mechanism) and
the third structure 82 being engaged with the fourth structure 84
(the second lock mechanism), the supporting member 24 is capable of
being kept at the second position P2 (which can refer to FIG. 10
and FIG. 12) relative to the first bracket 26. Accordingly, the
reliability of the fasting member 28 in the second state S2 (such
as the locking state) can be enhanced. Furthermore, with the
arrangement, when the fastening portion 67 of the fastening member
28 is applied to fasten to the first post 104a of the rack, the
security can be improved.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 15, after the at least one first mounting
member 56 of the first bracket 26 of the slide rail mechanism 20
being mounted to the first post 104a of the rack, and the fastening
member 28 in the second state S2 fastening to the first post 104a,
the slide rail mechanism 20 can be mounted to a second post 104b of
the rack through the at least one second mounting member 58 of the
second bracket 34.
[0078] To sum up, the slide rail mechanism 20 according to the
embodiment of the present invention includes the following
features.
[0079] First, the supporting member 24 wraps a portion of the rail
member 22, which can enhance the structural strength between the
first bracket 26 and the rail member 22.
[0080] Second, the supporting member 24 can be adjusted to move
relative to the rail member 22 along the longitudinal direction,
which allows the first bracket 26 to move a longer distance through
the supporting member 24.
[0081] Third, the first bracket 26 and the supporting member 24
form a two-section bracket and is movable along the rail member 22,
which is more suitable for racks with specific depth than the
conventional three-section bracket.
[0082] Fourth, with cooperation between the first structure 76 and
the second structure 78 (the first lock mechanism), or with
cooperation between the third structure 82 and the fourth structure
84 (the second lock mechanism), the reliability of the fasting
member 28 in the second state S2 (such as the locking state) can be
enhanced when the supporting member 24 is located at the second
position P2 relative to the first bracket 26.
[0083] Fifth, when the supporting member 24 is located at the first
predetermined position X1, a first length A1 (shown in FIG. 1) is
defined between the first bracket 26 and the second bracket 34.
When the supporting member 24 is located at the second
predetermined position X2, a second length A2 (shown in FIG. 2) is
defined between the first bracket 26 and the second bracket 34. The
second length A2 is longer than the first length A1. Therefore, the
slide rail mechanism 20 can be adapted to two posts spaced by
different distances of the rack.
[0084] Sixth, the slide rail mechanism 20 can be mounted to or
detached from the rack by a single person who stands in front of
the rack.
[0085] 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.
* * * * *