SLIDE RAIL STRUCTURE

A slide rail structure configured to mount a unit in a chassis, includes a first side slide rail including a first chassis-engaging slide member having a first side L-shaped projection portion projecting outward of a side of the first chassis-engaging slide member, and a first unit-engaging slide member slidably coupled to the first chassis-engaging slide member and configured to hold to one side of the unit. A second side slide rail includes a second chassis-engaging slide member having a second side L-shaped projection portion projecting outward of a side of the second chassis-engaging slide member, and a second unit-engaging slide member slidably coupled to the second chassis-engaging slide member and configured to hold to another side of the unit. The chassis has a first fitting hole in one side thereof, the first fitting hole being configured to receive the first side L-shaped projection portion so as to fix the first chassis-engaging slide member to said side of the chassis, and has a second fitting hole in an opposite side of the chassis, the second fitting hole being configured to receive the second side L-shaped projection portion so as to fix the second chassis-engaging slide member to the opposite side of the chassis.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application NO. P 2010-160210, filed on Jul. 15, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates to a slide rail structure. More particularly, this application relates to a slide rail structure including a chassis and the slide rail that is available to draw from the chassis a unit.

2. Description of the Related Art

In an automatic transaction apparatus such as an automated teller machine arranged in a financial institution or as an automatic ticket machine arranged in a railway station or an airport, a unit mounted on the automatic transaction apparatus is able to be drawn from the backside of the apparatus by slide rails to perform maintenance on the unit, and to insert or remove a medium used in the automatic transaction apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1 and as mentioned in the Japanese Laid-Open Patent No. H 11-328479, a unit 73 can be withdrawn from a chassis 72 in direction A and to be stored in the chassis 72, by a pair of slide rails 74 arranged at right and left in the chassis 72 and fixed to the chassis 72 and the unit 73 by a clincher 71 such as a screw or bolt. In FIG. 1, upper right is the front side of the automatic transaction apparatus, and lower left is the back side of the automatic transaction apparatus.

A conventional structure of the slide rail 74 has a problem that when it is fixed, the worker has to slide it to the chassis 72 and the unit 73 while entering his or her body and hands into the chassis 72 and tightly holding the slide rail 74. Therefore the worker cannot perform the task easily, and may fall and break the slide rail 74.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the application is to disclose a slide rail structure configured to mount a unit.

According to one aspect, a slide rail structure includes a first side slide rail, a second side slide rail, and a chassis. The first side slide rail includes a first chassis-engaging slide member having a first side L-shaped projection portion projecting outward of a side of the first chassis-engaging slide member, and a first unit-engaging slide member slidably coupled to the first chassis-engaging slide member and configured to hold to one side of the unit. The second slide rail includes a second chassis-engaging slide member having a second side L-shaped projection portion projecting outward of a side of the second chassis-engaging slide member, and a second unit-engaging slide member slidably coupled to the second chassis-engaging slide member and configured to hold to another side of the unit. The chassis includes a first fitting hole in a side thereof, the first fitting hole being configured to receive the first side L-shaped projection portion so as to fix the first chassis-engaging slide member to said side of the chassis, and a second fitting hole in another side of the chassis, the second fitting hole being configured to receive the second side L-shaped projection portion so as to fix the second chassis-engaging slide member to said another side of the chassis.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The slide rail structure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is given by way of illustration only, and is not intended to limit the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the composition and the operation of a conventional slide rail structure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first side slide rail according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a close-up (enlarged view) of the member 105 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second side slide rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of one side of a slide rail structure according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of another side of the slide rail structure according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a first side slide rail according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a close-up (enlarged view) of a member 106 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a second side slide rail according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates the operation of one side of a slide rail structure according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of another side of the slide rail structure according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is the top view of a side L-shaped projection portion of a variation according to the first embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is the top view of a side L-shaped projection portion of a variation according to the second embodiment.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

FIG. 2 illustrates the composition of a first side slide rail 11a of a first embodiment. The first side slide rail 11a may include three telescoping slide members including a first chassis-engaging slide member 111a, a first unit-engaging slide member 121a, and a first intermediate slide member 131a. The first chassis-engaging slide member 111a is able to slide back and forth in the direction A over the outside of the first intermediate slide member 131a. The first unit-engaging slide member 121a is able to slide back and forth in the direction A into and out of the first intermediate slide member 131a. One side of the first chassis-engaging slide member 111a may include two L-shaped projection portions 112a and 112b. A side of the first unit-engaging slide member 121a may include three clincher holes 122a for fixing by a clincher 21a such as a screw or bolt, to a side of a unit that is to be housed in a chassis as described below.

FIG. 3 is a close-up (enlarged view) of the member 105 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the side of the first chassis-engaging slide member 111a may include the L-shaped first projection portion 112a created by bending work from a first body portion after creating a first U-shaped punching portion 112e as shown in a shaded area. The first side L-shaped projection portion 112a may include a first bulge 112c that projects in the direction of the first intermediate slide member 131a. A third side L-shaped projection portion 112b has the same composition (same shape) as the first side L-shaped projection portion 112a. The third side L-shaped projection portion 112b therefore may include a third bulge 112d that also projects in the direction of the first intermediate slide member 131a.

The first side slide rail 11a shown in FIG. 2 is fixed on the left side of the inside of the chassis 31in a view of a back portion of the side chassis 31, as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 4 illustrates the entire composition of a second side slide rail 11b as it would be fixed or mounted on the right side of the inside of the chassis 31 (see FIG. 6). The second side slide rail 11b may include three telescoping slide members including a second chassis-engaging slide member 111b, a second unit-engaging slide member 121b, and a second intermediate slide member 131b. The second chassis-engaging slide member 111b is able to slide back and forth in the direction A over the outside of the second intermediate slide member 131b. The second unit-engaging slide member 121b is able to slide back and forth in the direction A into and out of the second intermediate slide member 131b. One side of the second chassis-engaging slide member 111b may include two side L-shaped projection portions 112f and 112g. The second side L-shaped projection portion 112f and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 112g have the same composition (same shape) as the first side L-shaped projection portion, and the second side L-shaped projection portion 112f may include a second bulge 112h, while the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 112g may include a fourth bulge 112i. Both of these two bulges project in the direction of the second intermediate slide member 131b. The side of the second unit-engaging slide member 121b may include three clincher holes 132a for fixing by a clincher 21b such as a screw or bolt, to a side of a unit that is to be housed in a chassis as described below.

As shown in FIG. 5, the side of the chassis 31 may include a first fitting hole 311a and a third fitting hole 311b created by punching. The distance of the first fitting hole 311a to the third fitting hole 311b is identical to the distance of the first side L-shaped projection portion 112a to the third side L-shaped projection portion 112b arranged on the first chassis-engaging slide member 111a. The first and third fitting hole 311a, 311b may include respectively a first cutout 311c and a third cutout 311d each projecting in the same direction as the first and third bulges 112c and 112d, in the back side portion of the chassis 31. As shown in FIG. 6, the right side of the inside of the chassis 31 may include a second fitting hole 311f and a fourth fitting hole 311g which are of the same composition (same shape) as the first fitting hole 311a and the third fitting hole 311b of the left side of the chassis 31. The second fitting hole 311f may include a second cutout 311h, and the fourth fitting hole 311g may include a fourth cutout 311i.

The step to fix the first side slide rail 11a to the chassis 31 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the upper left side is the front side of the chassis 31, and the lower right side is the back side of the chassis 31.

Inside of the chassis 31, the first side slide rail 11a is moved in the direction of arrow B, so that first side L-shaped projection portion 112a and third side L-shaped projection portion 112b are positioned at the first fitting hole 311a and the third fitting hole 311b, respectively. The first side slide rail 11a is moved in the direction of arrow C, so that the first side L-shaped projection portion 112a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 112b are inserted into the first fitting hole 311a and the third fitting hole 311b, respectively. The first side slide rail 11a is moved in the direction of arrow D until the first side L-shaped projection portion 112a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 112b contact the lower end of the first fitting hole 311a and the third fitting hole 311b. The first side slide rail 11a is moved in the direction of arrow E, and the first bulge 112c of the first side L-shaped projection portion 112a and the third bulge 112d of the third side L-shaped projection portion 112b are hooked and fixed at the first cutout 311c of the first fitting hole 311a and the third cutout 311d of the third fitting hole 311b, respectively. When the holding force between the first and third bulges 112c, 112d and the first and third cutouts 311c, 311d is lacking, they also may be fixed by clinchers. Also, unit 41 is fixed to the first side slide rail 11a by a clincher 21a and a clincher hole 122a of the first unit-engaging slide member 121a.

As shown in FIG. 6, the steps to fix the second side slide rail 11b to the chassis 31 are same of the steps to fix the first side slide rail 11a to the chassis 31. The second side slide rail 11b can be fixed to the chassis 31 by moving it in an order of arrow B, C, D, E, after the side L-shaped projection portion of the second side slide rail 11b is inserted into the fitting hole of the chassis 31.

As described above, according to the slide rail structure of the first embodiment, the side of the first side slide rail 11a that contacts the chassis 31 may include two side L-shaped projection portions created by bending work from the first body portion after U-shaped punches are made, and these side L-shaped projection portions each with its cutout, are arranged in the back portion of a side of the chassis 31. The side of the second side slide rail 11b may include the second side L-shaped projection portion 112f which has the second bulge 112h, and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 112g which has the fourth bulge 112i, as with the first side slide rail 11a. The one side of the chassis 31 may include the first fitting hole 311a which has the first cutout 311c, and the third fitting hole 311b which has the third cutout 311d in the back portion of the side of the chassis 31 to insert and hook the first side L-shaped projection portion 112a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 112b. The other side of the chassis 31 may include the second fitting hole 311f which has the second cutout 311h, and the fourth fitting hole which has the fourth cutout 311i in the back portion of the side of the chassis 31 to insert and hook the second side L-shaped projection portion 112f and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 112g, respectively. Therefore, the first side slide rail 11a can be fixed to the chassis 31 only to insert and hook the first side L-shaped projection portion 112a to the first fitting hole 311a, and the third side L-shaped projection portion 112b to the third fitting hole 311b. And to fix the second side slide rail 11b to the chassis 31 the worker has only to insert and hook the second side L-shaped projection portion 112f to the second fitting hole 311f, and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 112g to the fourth fitting hole 311g. Therefore, the worker does not need to insert his or her hands into the chassis 31 in order to screw a clincher, is able to assemble the slide rails easily, thereby to reduce the likelihood of dropping the first side slide rail 11a and the second side slide rail 11b while at work.

The first embodiment is described as having first and third side L-shaped projection portions 112a, 112b created by bending work from the body portion after the punching of the side of the first chassis-engaging slide member 111a. But instead the L-shaped projections portions may be welded to the side of the first chassis-engaging slide member 111a. Also, while the first side slide rail 11a is described to include the first chassis-engaging slide member 111a, the first unit-engaging slide member 121a and the first intermediate slide member 131a, the first side slide rail 11a may in an alternative embodiment include only the first chassis-engaging slide member 111a and the first unit-engaging slide member 121a.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7 illustrates the composition of a first side slide rail 12a of a second embodiment. The first side slide rail 12a may include three telescoping slide members including a first and third side L-shaped projection portions 212a, 212b which have cutouts in the direction opposite to the cutouts of the first and third side L-shaped projection portions 112a, 112b of the first embodiment in the arrow A to be fixed to the chassis 32 more easily than the first embodiment. As for the rest, it has the same composition (same shape) as the first chassis-engaging slide member 111a. A first unit-engaging slide member 211a and a first intermediate slide members 231a have the same composition (same shape) as the first unit-engaging slide members 121a and the first intermediate slide member 131a of the first embodiment. The side of the first unit-engaging slide member 221a may include clincher hole 222a.

FIG. 8 is a close-up (enlarged view) of the member 106 of FIG. 7. The first side slide rail 12a may include a first side L-shaped projection portion 212a created by bending work from a first body portion of the side of the first side slide rail 12a which contacts with the inside of the chassis 32, after punching the slide rail 12a to produce the U-shaped punching portion 212e shown in a shaded area of FIG. 8. The first side L-shaped projection portion may include a first bulge 212c that projects in the front side of the chassis 32. The third side L-shaped projection portion 212b has the same composition (same shape) as the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a, and therefore may include a third bulge 212d that also projects in the direction of the front side of the chassis 32.

The first side slide rail 12a shown in FIG. 7 is fixed on the left side of the inside of the chassis 32 in a view of a back portion of the side chassis 32, as shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 9 illustrates the entire composition of the second side slide rail 12b as it would be fixed or mounted on the right side of the inside of the chassis 32 (see FIG. 11). The second side slide rail 12b may include three telescoping slide members including a second chassis-engaging slide member 211b, a second unit-engaging slide member 221b, and a second intermediate slide member 231b. The second chassis-engaging slide member 211b is able to slide back and forth in the direction A over the outside of the second intermediate slide member 231b. The second unit-engaging slide member 221b is able to slide back and forth in the direction A into and out of the second intermediate slide member 231b. One side of the second chassis-engaging slide member 211b may include two side L-shaped projection portions 212f and 212g. The second side L-shaped projection portion 212f and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 212g have the same composition (same shape) as the first side L-shaped projection portion, the second side L-shaped projection portion 212f may include the second bulge 212h, and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 212g may include the fourth bulge 212i that projects in the direction of the front side 103 of the chassis 32. The second unit-engaging slide member 221b and the second intermediate slide member 231b have the same composition (same shape) as the second unit-engaging slide member 121b and the second intermediate slide member 131b of the first embodiment, and the side of the second unit-engaging slide member 221b may include three clincher holes 222b for fixing by the clincher 22b such as a screw or bolt, to a side of a unit that is to be housed in a chassis as described below.

As shown in FIG. 10, the side of the chassis may include a first fitting hole 321a and a third fitting hole 321b created by punching. The distance from the first fitting hole 321a to the third fitting hole 321b is identical to the distance of the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a from the third side L-shaped projection portion 212b arranged on the first chassis-engaging slide member 211a. The first fitting hole 321a and the third fitting hole 321b may include respectively a first cutout 321c and a third cutout 321d each projecting in the same direction as the first and third bulges 212c and 212d, in the front side of the chassis 32. As shown in FIG. 11, the right side of the inside of the chassis 32 may include a second fitting hole 321f and a fourth fitting hole 321g which are of the same composition (same shape) as the first fitting hole 321a and the third fitting hole 321b of the left side of the chassis 32. The second fitting hole 321f may include a second cutout 321h, and the fourth fitting hole may include a fourth cutout 321i.

The step to fix the first side slide rail 12a to the chassis 32 will be described with reference FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the upper left side 103 is the front side of the chassis 32, and the lower right side 104 is the back side of the chassis 32.

Inside of the chassis 32, the first side slide rail 12a is moved in the direction of arrow B, so that the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 212b are positioned at the first fitting hole 321a and the third fitting hole 321b, respectively. The first side slide rail 12a is moved in the direction of arrow C, so that the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 212b are inserted into the first fitting hole 321a and the third fitting hole 321b, respectively. The first side slide rail 12a is moved in the direction of arrow D until the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 212b contact the lower end of the first fitting hole 321a and the third fitting hole 321b. The first side slide rail 12a is moved in the direction of arrow F, and the first bulge 212c of the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a and the third bulge 212d of the third side L-shaped projection portion 212b are hooked and fixed at the first cutout 321c of the first fitting hole 321a and the third cutout 321d of the third fitting hole 321b. When the holding force between the first and third bulges 212c, 212d and the first and third cutouts 321c, 321d is lacking, they also may be fixed by clinchers. Also, unit 42 is fixed to the first side slide rail 12a by a clincher 22a and a clincher hole 232a of the first unit-engaging slide member 221a.

As shown in FIG. 11, the steps to fix the second side slide rail 12b to the chassis 32 are same of the steps to fix the first side slide rail 21a to the chassis 32. The second side slide rail 12b can be fixed to the chassis 32 by moving it in an order of arrow B, C, D, F, after the side L-shaped projection portion of the second side slide rail 21b is inserted into the fitting hole of the chassis 32.

As described above, according to the slide rail structure of the second embodiment, the side of the first side slide rail 21a that contacts the chassis 32 may include two side L-shaped projection portions created by bending work from the first body portion after U-shaped punches are made, and these side L-shaped projection portions, each with its respective bulge, are arranged in the front side of the chassis 32. The side of the second side slide rail 21b may include the second side L-shaped projection portion 212f which has the second bulge 212h, and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 212g which has the fourth bulge 212i, as with the first side slide rail 21a. The one side of the chassis 32 may include the first fitting hole 321a which has the first cutout 321c, and the third fitting hole 321b which has the third cutout 321d in the front portion of the side of the chassis 32 to insert and hook the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 212b. The other side of the chassis 32 may include the second fitting hole 321f which has the second cutout 321h, and the fourth fitting hole which has the fourth cutout 321i in the front portion of the side of the chassis 32 to insert and hook the second side L-shaped projection portion 212f and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 212g. Therefore, the first side slide rail 21a can be fixed to the chassis 32 only to insert and hook the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a to the first fitting hole 321a, and the third side L-shaped projection portion 212b to the third fitting hole 321b. And to fix the second side slide rail 12b to the chassis 32 the worker has only to insert and hook the second side L-shaped projection portion 212f to the second fitting hole 321f, and the fourth side L-shaped projection portion 212g to the fourth fitting hole 321g. Therefore, the worker does not need to insert his or her hands into the chassis 32 in order to screw a clincher, and is able to assemble the slide rails easily without dropping the first side slide rail 12a and the second side slide rail 12b while at work.

As described above, the first and third sides L-shaped projection portions 212a, 212b are created by bending work from the first body portion after the punching of the side of the first chassis-engaging slide member 211a. However, as in the first embodiment the side L-shaped projection portions instead may be welded to the side of the first chassis-engaging slide member 211a. Also, while the first side slide rail 12a is described to include the first chassis-engaging slide member 211a, the first unit-engaging slide member 221a and the first intermediate slide member 231a, the first side slide rail 12a may include only the first chassis-engaging slide member 211a and the first unit-engaging slide member 221a.

The slide rail structure of the second embodiment described above, in addition to having the effects of the first embodiment, allows the slide rail to be fixed by the first side slide rail 12a and the second side slide rail 12b moving in only one direction, and the worker is able to work more easily, and can reduce the likelihood that he or she may drop and break the first side slide rail 12a and the second side slide rail 12b while at a work.

The first side slide rail 12a and the second side slide rail 12b can be arranged in the chassis 32 by moving them in one direction. Therefore the first side slide rail 12a and the second side slide rail 12b do not need to enter the back of the chassis 32 to be fixed, and it is possible to make the depth of the chassis 32 smaller.

Other Variation

According to the above explanation of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the pair of slide rails each may include two side L-shaped projection portions, and the chassis may include two fitting holes on each side, but the number of them on each side may be more than three or limited to one.

As shown in FIG. 12, if in addition a taper part 112t is arranged at the top of the first side L-shaped projection portion 112a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 112b of the first embodiment, the first side slide rail 11a is more easily fixed on the chassis 31.

Similarly as shown in FIG. 13, if in addition a taper part 212t is arranged at the top of the first side L-shaped projection portion 212a and the third side L-shaped projection portion 212b of the second embodiment, the first side slide rail 12a is more easily fixed on the chassis 32.

Claims

1. A slide rail structure configured to mount a unit, comprising:

a first side slide rail including a first chassis-engaging slide member having a first side L-shaped projection portion projecting outward of a side of the first chassis-engaging slide member, and a first unit-engaging slide member slidably coupled to the first chassis-engaging slide member and configured to hold to one side of the unit;
a second side slide rail including a second chassis-engaging slide member having a second side L-shaped projection portion projecting outward of a side of the second chassis-engaging slide member, and a second unit-engaging slide member slidably coupled to the second chassis-engaging slide member and configured to hold to another side of the unit;
a chassis having a first fitting hole in a side thereof, the first fitting hole being configured to receive the first side L-shaped projection portion so as to fix the first chassis-engaging slide member to said side of the chassis, and a second fitting hole in another side of the chassis, the second fitting hole being configured to receive the second side L-shaped projection portion so as to fix the second chassis-engaging slide member to said another side of the chassis.

2. The slide rail structure of claim 1, wherein said first chassis-engaging slide member includes a first body portion having a first U-shaped punched out opening therein, and said first side L-shaped projection portion is integral with and bent outwardly from said first body portion, and wherein said second chassis-engaging slide member includes a second body portion having a second U-shaped punched out opening therein, and said second side L-shaped projection portion is integral with and bent outwardly from said second body portion.

3. The slide rail structure of claim 1, wherein the first fitting hole includes a first cutout configured so that the first side L-shaped projection portion is insertable therein by a horizontal movement after insertion of a lower side against a bulge of the first side L-shaped projection portion, and the second fitting hole includes a second cutout configured so that the second side L-shaped projection portion is insertable therein by a horizontal movement after insertion of a lower side against a bulge of the second side L-shaped projection portion.

4. The slide rail structure of claim 1, wherein the first fitting hole includes a first cutout at a lower side thereof to which a bulge of the first side L-shaped projection portion is able to be inserted by horizontal movement of the first side L-shaped projection portion after inserting the first side L-shaped projection portion into said lower side of the first fitting hole, and a second cutout at a lower side thereof to which a bulge of the second side L-shaped projection portion is able to be inserted by horizontal movement of the second side L-shaped projection portion after inserting the second side L-shaped projection portion into said lower side of the second fitting hole.

5. The slide rail structure of claim 3, wherein an upper outer corner of said bulge is tapered.

6. The slide rail structure of claim 3, wherein

the first chassis-engaging slide member further includes another side L-shaped projection portion projecting outward of said side thereof,
the second chassis-engaging slide member further includes an additional side L-shaped projection portion projecting outward of said side thereof, and
said side of the chassis further has another fitting hole spaced from said first fitting hole by a distance equal to the distance between said first and said another side L-shaped projection portions and said another side of the chassis further has additional fitting hole spaced from said second fitting hole by a distance equal to the distance between said second and said additional side L-shaped projection portions.

7. The slide rail structure of claim 4, wherein said first cutout, said second cutout, and said bulges project in the direction of the front side of said chassis.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120013235
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 14, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2012
Applicant: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (Tokyo)
Inventor: Takeshi HISAMATSU (Gunma)
Application Number: 13/183,421
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Between Vertical Sidewalls Of Drawer And Cabinet (312/334.7)
International Classification: A47B 88/04 (20060101);