SEQUENTIAL MOTION SLIDE ASSEMBLY AND WORKING METHOD THEREOF

The present invention relates to a sequential motion slide assembly, including a middle and inner rail rear locking device, a locking pin and a middle and outer rail rear locking device. During the transition from the first pull-out state to a second pull-out state of the slide, after the locking pin clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device makes contact with the middle and outer rail rear locking device, the locking pin slides from the middle and inner rail rear locking device into the middle and outer rail rear locking device along with the movement of the slide and becomes clamped. The embodiments of the present invention increase the stability of sequential pulling of the slide.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 2025101046871 filed on Jan. 23, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to slides, specifically to a sequential motion slide assembly and a working method thereof.

BACKGROUND

Slides are typically installed in drawer structures of furniture or electric appliances. A drawer structure includes a cabinet body and a drawing box that is pulled out or pushed in relative to the cabinet body. Outer rails of slides are fixed to two inner walls of the cabinet body, while inner rails are fixed to both sides of the drawing box. When the drawing box is pulled out, the inner rails drive middle rails, and the middle rails drive the outer rails, causing the entire slides to be pulled out. When the drawing box is pushed in, the inner rails are pushed in, pushing the middle rails in until the entire slides are closed.

A problem with such slide structures is that during the process of pulling out or pushing in, a plurality of sections of the slides become insecure. Additionally, during the sliding of the slides, the plurality of sections of the slides are engaged insecurely, making it easy for the slides to detach when the drawer is pulled out.

SUMMARY

To overcome the disadvantages in the prior art, the present invention discloses a sequential motion slide assembly and a working method thereof.

The present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

    • A sequential motion slide assembly comprises a slide and a slide rear locking device, wherein the slide comprises an inner rail, a middle rail slidable relative to the inner rail, and an outer rail slidable relative to the middle rail; and the slide rear locking device comprises a middle and inner rail rear locking device provided on the inner rail and located close to a closed end of the inner rail, a locking pin provided on the middle rail and located close to a closed end of the middle rail, and a middle and outer rail rear locking device provided on the outer rail and located at a middle portion of the outer rail;
    • From a fully closed state of the slide to a first pull-out state of the slide, the locking pin is clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device, thereby locking the inner rail and the middle rail;
    • During the transition from the first pull-out state to a second pull-out state of the slide, after the locking pin clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device makes contact with the middle and outer rail rear locking device, the locking pin slides from the middle and inner rail rear locking device into the middle and outer rail rear locking device along with movement of the slide and becomes clamped; alternatively, after the locking pin clamped in the middle and outer rail rear locking device makes contact with the middle and inner rail rear locking device, the locking pin slides from the middle and outer rail rear locking device to the middle and inner rail rear locking device along with the movement of the slide and becomes clamped; and
    • From the second pull-out state of the slide to a fully extended state of the slide, the locking pin is clamped in the middle and outer rail rear locking device, thereby locking the middle rail and the outer rail.

The further technical solution is as follows: The middle and inner rail rear locking device comprises a first oblique arm, a first short arm and a first notch formed by the first oblique arm and the first short arm; the middle and outer rail rear locking device comprises a second oblique arm, a second short arm and a second notch formed by the second oblique arm and the second short arm; a straight line where an edge of the second notch lies is tangent to an edge of the first oblique arm; a straight line where an edge of the first notch lies is tangent to a straight line where the second oblique arm lies; and the first short arm and the second short arm are both at a preset angle with a movement direction of the slide to clamp the locking pin.

The further technical solution is as follows: A sliding track is formed in the middle rail; the locking pin passes through the sliding track, and both ends of the locking pin protrude from both sides of the middle rail, respectively; a first end of the locking pin is used to extend into the middle and outer rail rear locking device and slide in the middle and outer rail rear locking device; and a second end of the locking pin is used to extend into the middle and inner rail rear locking device and slide in the middle and inner rail rear locking device.

The further technical solution is as follows: The slide rear locking device further comprises a torsion spring fixed to the middle rail; the torsion spring comprises a first bent arm and a second bent arm, an elastic protruding angle is formed at a common end of the first bent arm and the second bent arm; and the protruding angle overlaps with at least part of the sliding track, so that the locking pin is capable of moving between the first bent arm and the second bent arm when sliding in the sliding track and is clamped within a range of the first bent arm or the second bent arm.

The further technical solution is as follows: A rotatable shaft sleeve is arranged on an outer side of the locking pin, and the locking pin moves relative to the torsion spring through the shaft sleeve.

The further technical solution is as follows: The sequential motion slide assembly further comprises a slide front locking device, wherein the slide front locking device comprises a middle and inner rail front locking device provided on the middle rail and located close to an open end of the middle rail, a lock block A provided at a middle portion of the inner rail, and a lock block B provided at the middle portion of the inner rail and capable of sliding relative to the inner rail in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of the slide; and

In the fully extended state of the slide, the middle and inner rail front locking device makes contact with the lock block B and is capable of pushing the lock block B aside and then being clamped between the lock block A and the lock block B, thereby locking the middle rail and the inner rail.

The further technical solution is as follows: The slide front locking device comprises a push rod and a push block; and one end of the push rod is fixed to the push block, and the other end of the push rod is provided with a pushing surface for pushing the lock block B, causing the middle and inner rail front locking device to disengage from between the lock block A and the lock block B, thereby unlocking the middle rail and the inner rail.

The further technical solution is as follows: The slide front locking device comprises a sliding base; the lock block B is capable of sliding within a slideway of the sliding base; the middle and inner rail front locking device is capable of making contact with and pushing the lock block B from a first end of the slideway; and a spring clip is disposed at a second end of the slideway.

A working method of a sequential motion slide assembly implemented by the sequential motion slide assembly according to any one of the above embodiments, comprises a slide opening step and a slide closing step, wherein the slide opening step comprises:

    • in the fully closed state of the slide, the locking pin is clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device, thereby locking the inner rail and the middle rail;
    • during the transition from the fully closed state to the first pull-out state of the slide: at the same time, the middle rail and the inner rail are pulled out until the locking pin makes contact with the middle and outer rail rear locking device;
    • during the transition from the first pull-out state to the second pull-out state of the slide: the locking pin clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device slides from the middle and inner rail rear locking device into the middle and outer rail rear locking device and becomes clamped, thereby unlocking the inner rail and the middle rail and locking the middle rail and the outer rail; and
    • during the transition from the second pull-out state to the fully extended state of the slide: the inner rail is continuously pulled out until the slide is fully extended; and
    • the slide closing step comprises:
    • during the transition from the fully extended state to the second pull-out state of the slide: the inner rail is pulled in until the locking pin makes contact with the middle and inner rail rear locking device;
    • during the transition from the second pull-out state to the first pull-out state of the slide: the locking pin clamped in the middle and outer rail rear locking device slides from the middle and outer rail rear locking device into the middle and inner rail rear locking device and becomes clamped, thereby unlocking the middle rail and the outer rail and locking the middle rail and the inner rail; and
    • during the transition from the first pull-out state of the slide to the fully closed state of the slide: the middle rail and the inner rail are pushed in together until the slide is fully closed.

The further technical solution is as follows: Before the slide enters the fully extended state of the slide, the working method further comprises a fully locked state of the slide: after the middle and inner rail front locking device makes contact with the lock block B, pushes the lock block B aside and then is clamped between the lock block A and the lock block B, thereby locking the middle rail and the inner rail; and

When the slide is pushed in from the fully extended state of the slide, the working method further comprises an unlocking process of the middle rail and the inner rail: the push rod pushes the lock block B, causing the middle and inner rail front locking device to disengage from between the lock block A and the lock block B, thereby unlocking the middle rail and the inner rail.

Beneficial effects of the present invention:

By providing a slide rear locking device, the present invention achieves a stable pull-out and closing process through an automatic sequential locking function. Furthermore, while the stability of the slide is enhanced, it ensures that the middle rail and the inner rail can be securely locked, as well as the middle rail and the outer rail, preventing the phenomenon of detachment between the rails during the pull-out process.

By further providing the middle and inner rail front locking device, the embodiments of the present invention can further guarantee a stable locked state between the rails even though the slide is fully extended while ensuring that the slide is stably pulled out and pushed in. This further improves the stability of the slide during use and ensures that even when the slide is fully extended, the rails do not become disengaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of a slide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a structural schematic view of a torsion spring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a slide in a fully closed state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the slide in a first pull-out state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a slide rear locking device in a first pull-out state of the slide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a slide rear locking device during the intermediate process of the transition from a first pull-out state to a second pull-out state of the slide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the slide rear locking device in a second pull-out state of the slide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the slide rear locking device during the intermediate process of the transition from a second pull-out state to a fully extended state of the slide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the slide in a fully extended state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a partial structural schematic view of a slide front locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of part G in FIG. 12.

 Description of Reference Numerals

    • 1. Inner rail
    • 11. Middle and inner rail rear locking device
    • 111. First oblique arm
    • 112. First short arm
    • 113. First notch
    • 12. Lock block A
    • 13. Lock block B
    • 14. Sliding base
    • 15. Push rod
    • 16. Push block
    • 17. Compression spring
    • 18. Spring clip
    • 2. Middle rail
    • 21. Locking pin
    • 22. Sliding track
    • 23. Torsion spring
    • 231. First fixed arm
    • 232. Second fixed arm
    • 233. First bent arm
    • 234. Second bent arm
    • 235. Protruding angle
    • 24. Shaft sleeve
    • 25. Middle and inner rail front locking device
    • 3. Outer rail
    • 31. Middle and outer rail rear locking device
    • 311. Second oblique arm
    • 312. Second short arm
    • 313. Second notch
    • 4. Middle rail retainer
    • 5. Outer rail retainer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Specific implementations of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with drawings.

FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of a slide according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the slide comprises an inner rail 1, a middle rail 2 and an outer rail 3. The inner rail 1 is mounted on the middle rail 2 through a middle rail retainer 4, and the inner rail 1 can slide relative to the middle rail 2. The middle rail 2 is mounted on the outer rail 3 through an outer rail retainer 5. The middle rail 2 can slide relative to the outer rail 3. A slide rear locking device is disposed on the slide.

The slide rear locking device comprises a middle and inner rail rear locking device 11, a locking pin 21 and a middle and outer rail rear locking device 31. The middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 is disposed on the inner rail 1 and located close to a closed end of the inner rail 1. The locking pin 21 is disposed on the middle rail 2 and located close to a closed end of the middle rail 2. When the inner rail 1 slides relative to the middle rail 2 until the inner rail 1 and the middle rail 2 are fully closed, the positions of the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 and the locking pin 21 correspond to each other. The middle and outer rail rear locking device 31 is disposed on the outer rail 3 and located at a middle portion of the outer rail 3. In this section and throughout the text, an open end of the slide refers to the end of the slide close to a pull-out direction of the slide, while a closed end of the slide refers to the end of the slide close to a closed direction of the slide. A middle portion of the slide refers to a portion between the closed end and the open end of the slide. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings, the direction indicated by arrow X is the pull-out direction of the slide, and the opposite direction of the direction indicated by arrow X is the closing direction of the slide.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 comprises a first oblique arm 111, a first short arm 112 and a first notch 113 formed by the first oblique arm 111 and the first short arm 112. The first notch 113 is approximately parallel to a sliding direction of the slide, and the first short arm 112 is located at one end of the first notch 113 and has a preset angle relative to the sliding direction of the slide to facilitate locking the locking pin 21. In this embodiment, the first notch 113 is parallel to the sliding direction of the slide, and the first short arm 112 is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide. The first oblique arm 111 starts from the other end of the first notch 113 and tilts towards the first short arm 112, i.e., the closing direction of the slide, until a tail end of the first oblique arm 111 is approximately parallel to the sliding direction of the slide. Additionally, the first oblique arm 111 must be long enough to extend beyond the position of the first short arm 112, so that the locking pin 21 can slide along the first oblique arm 111 into a position in the first notch 113 where the locking pin is clamped by the first short arm 112 upon making contact with the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31 comprises a second oblique arm 311, a second short arm 312 and a second notch 313 formed by the second oblique arm 311 and the second short arm 312. The middle and outer rail rear locking device 31 and the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 have the same structure but are symmetric relative to the sliding direction of the slide. That is, if the first oblique arm 111 and the first short arm 112 extend toward a first direction to form the first notch 113, the second oblique arm 311 and the second short arm 312 extend toward a second direction to form the second notch 313. The first and second directions are 180 degrees apart and both are perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slide. An extension direction of a tail end of the first oblique arm 111 is the same as that of a tail end of the second oblique arm 311, both facing toward the closing direction of the slide.

The tail end of the first oblique arm 111 is tangent to a straight line where an edge of the second notch 313 lies. A straight line where an edge tail end of the first notch 113 lies is tangent to a straight line where the second oblique arm 311 lies. This arrangement allows the locking pin 21 to be guided by the first oblique arm 111 or the second oblique arm 311 to change the position while sliding between the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 and the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31, thus changing its position. When the position of the locking pin 21 changes, a locking state between the inner rail 1 and the middle rail 2 and a locking state between the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3 can be changed simultaneously.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, a sliding track 22 is formed on the middle rail 2. The locking pin 21 passes through the sliding track 22 and can slide within the sliding track 22, and both ends of the locking pin 21 protrude from both sides of the middle rail 2, respectively. A first end of the locking pin 21 is used to extend into the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31 and slide in the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31. A second end of the locking pin 21 is used to extend into the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 and slide in the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the slide rear locking device further comprises a torsion spring 23 fixed to the middle rail 2. FIG. 5 is a structural schematic view of a torsion spring according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the torsion spring 23 comprises a first fixed arm 231, a second fixed arm 232, a first bent arm 233 and a second bent arm 234. The torsion spring 23 is fixed to the middle rail 2 by means of the first fixed arm 231 and the second fixed arm 232. An elastic protruding angle 235 is formed at a common end of the first bent arm 233 and the second bent arm 234; the protruding angle 235 overlaps with at least part of the sliding track 22, i.e., the protruding angle 235 covers at least part of the sliding track 22, but preferably without covering the entire sliding track 22. When the locking pin 21 slides within the sliding track 22, due to the elasticity of the torsion spring 23, the protruding angle 235 is pressed down. As a result, the locking pin 21 can move between the first bent arm 233 and the second bent arm 234. When the protruding angle 235 resets, the locking pin 21 can be clamped within a range of the first bent arm 233 or the second bent arm 234.

Furthermore, a rotatable shaft sleeve 24 is arranged on an outer side of the locking pin 21. The locking pin 21 slides relative to the torsion spring 23 via the shaft sleeve 24. That is, when the locking pin 21 moves, the shaft sleeve 24 rotates and makes contact with the first bent arm 233, the second bent arm 234, or the protruding angle 235. The shaft sleeve 24 is rotatable, thus facilitating a smoother movement of the locking pin 21.

FIGS. 6 to 12 hereinafter illustrate a working method of the sequential motion slide assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a slide in a fully closed state according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this point, the inner rail 1, the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3 are completely aligned. The locking pin 21 is clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11, thereby locking the inner rail 1 and the middle rail 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking pin 21 slides to a first position of the sliding track 22, which is surrounded by the protruding angle 235 of the torsion spring 23 and the first notch 113 of the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11, maintaining a relatively stable state.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the slide in a first pull-out state according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the process from the fully closed state shown in FIG. 6 to the first pull-out state shown in FIG. 7, the locking pin 21 is clamped by the first short arm 112, thereby locking the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1 to move together. At the same time, the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1 are pulled out until the locking pin 21 makes contact with the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a slide rear locking device in a first pull-out state of the slide according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 7. In the first pull-out state, the locking pin 21 starts to make contact with the second oblique arm 311 of the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a slide rear locking device during the intermediate process of the transition from a first pull-out state to a second pull-out state of the slide according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the slide rear locking device in a second pull-out state of the slide according to an embodiment of the present invention. The position shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 is also the position of part D in FIG. 7, and the state of the slide has changed at this point. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, after the locking pin 21 makes contact with the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31, along with the movement of the slide, the locking pin 21 clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 slides from the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 into the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31 and becomes clamped, thereby unlocking the inner rail 1 and the middle rail 2 and locking the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3.

Specifically, after the locking pin 21 touches the second oblique arm 311 on the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31, the locking pin 21 slides along the second oblique arm 311. Meanwhile, the interference between the first oblique arm 111 on the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 and the locking pin 21 gradually decreases until they completely separate.

As shown in FIG. 9, during the sliding process of the locking pin 21 along the second oblique arm 311, due to the elasticity of the torsion spring 23, the shaft sleeve 24 sleeved on the locking pin 21 rotates simultaneously, causing the locking pin 21 to press down the protruding angle 235 from the second bent arm 234 of the torsion spring 23 and pass over the protruding angle 235. In this process, the torsion spring 23 gradually deforms elastically. As the slide continues to be pulled out, the locking pin 21 enters the range of the first bent arm 232 of the torsion spring 23. As shown in FIG. 10, under the action of the second oblique arm 311 and a reset force of the torsion spring 23, the locking pin 21 gradually slides into the second notch 313 of the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31. The second short arm 312 locks the locking pin 21, and at the same time, the locking pin 21 slides into the range of the first bent arm 233. At this point, the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3 are locked, while the inner rail 1 has already separated from the middle rail 2.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the slide rear locking device during the intermediate process of the transition from a second pull-out state to a fully extended state of the slide according to an embodiment of the present invention. The position shown in FIG. 11 is also the position of part D in FIG. 7, and the state of the slide has changed once again at this point. As shown in FIG. 11, at this point, the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3 have been locked in place, while the inner rail 1 is separated by a certain distance from the middle rail 2. The inner rail 1 is then continuously pulled out alone until it reaches the fully extended state of the slide.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the slide in a fully extended state according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, break lines are used to omit part of the structure of the outer rail 3 and part of the structure of the inner rail 1. At this point, the inner rail 1 is pulled to a maximum distance, and the slide is fully extended. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows the state of the locking pin 21 when the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3 are locked. Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 13, the locking pin 21 is within the range of the first bent arm 233 of the torsion spring 23 and is caught in the second notch 313 by the second short arm 312. Since the structures of the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 and the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31 are symmetric, it can be understood, by analogy with FIG. 13, that the locking pin 21 is in a similar state when the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1 are locked.

During the process of closing the slide, the state change of the slide rear locking device is the reverse of the state change during a slide pulling-out process. A detailed method of the state change of the slide rear locking device during the closing process of the slide can refer to the pulling-out process of the slide, including:

    • during the transition from a fully extended state to a second pull-out state of the slide: the inner rail 1 is pulled in until the locking pin 21 makes contact with the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11;
    • during the transition from the second pull-out state to a first pull-out state of the slide: the locking pin 21 clamped in the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31 slides from the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31 into the middle and inner rail rear locking device 11 and becomes clamped, thereby unlocking the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3, and locking the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1; and
    • during the transition from the first pull-out state of the slide to the fully closed state of the slide: both the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1 are pushed in until the slide is fully closed.

The slide rear locking device provided in the present invention, when installed on the slide, enables the slide to achieve a sequential locking function during the process of pulling out the slide. That is, from the fully closed state of the slide to the first pull-out state, the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1 of the slide are in a locked state and are pulled out together. After the slide is pulled out to a certain point, as the slide moves, the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1 can be automatically unlocked, thereby locking the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3, and allowing the inner rail 1 to continue to be pulled out to the fully extended state of the slide. Similarly, during the push-in process of the slide, the inner rail 1 can be first pushed in to reach the second pull-out state, thereby unlocking the outer rail 3 and the middle rail 2, and locking the inner rail 1 and the middle rail 2, and causing the inner rail 1 and the middle rail 2 to be pushed in together until the slide is fully locked. In this way, the slide can achieve a stable pull-out and closing process through a sequential locking function. Moreover, while enhancing the stability of the slide, it also ensures stable and secure locking between the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1, and between the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3, preventing the phenomenon of the rails disengaging from each other during the pull-out process.

Furthermore, a slide front locking device is provided in the embodiment of the present invention, which is used to ensure that the slide can have a stable fully extended state.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 1. FIG. 15 is a partial structural schematic view of the slide front locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the slide front locking device comprises a middle and inner rail front locking device 25, a sliding base 14, a lock block A 12, a lock block B 13, and a push rod 15. The middle and inner rail front locking device 25 specifically is a protruding block directed towards the direction of the inner rail 1. The sliding base 14 is disposed at a middle portion of the inner rail 1, and the position of the sliding base 14 is closer to the closing direction of the slide relative to the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31. The lock block B 13 is capable of sliding in the sliding base 14 relative to the inner rail 1 in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of the slide. The middle and inner rail front locking device 25 is disposed on the middle rail 2 and located close to an open end of the middle rail 2.

Specifically, the sliding base 14 is provided with a slideway perpendicular to the movement direction of the slide. The lock block B 13 is secured into a kidney-shaped hole of the slideway perpendicular to the movement direction of the slide by means of rivets. A spring clip 18 is fixed to the inner rail 1. A first end of the lock block B 13 is a bevel with an edge closer to the lock block A 12 being higher and an edge farther from the lock block A 12 being lower. The spring clip 18 is fixed to an end of the slideway and can make contact with a second end of the lock block B 13.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of part G in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, when the slide is about to reach the fully extended state, the middle and inner rail front locking device 25 makes contact with the bevel of the lock block B 13. As the slide moves, the middle and inner rail front locking device 25 pushes the lock block B 13 toward one end of the spring clip 18, pressing down the spring clip 18, while simultaneously moving along the bevel of the lock block B 13 and being clamped into a space between the lock block A 12 and the lock block B 13. At this point, the spring clip 18 resets and pushes the lock block B 13 back to its original position along the slideway, the slide is now in the fully extended state, and the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1 are locked. As described above, in the fully extended state of the slide, the locking pin 21 is clamped into the middle and outer rail rear locking device 31, thereby locking both the middle rail 2 and the outer rail 3. This means that, before the slide reaches the fully extended state, there is an additional fully locked state: after the middle and inner rail front locking device 25 makes contact with the lock block B 13 and pushes the lock block B 13 aside and is clamped into the space between the lock block A 12 and the lock block B 13, thus locking the middle rail 2 to the inner rail 1. The slide can maintain a stable fully extended state.

Further, the slide front locking device comprises a push rod 15, a push block 16 and a compression spring 17. The push block 16 is secured into the kidney-shaped hole of the inner rail 1 close to the open end and parallel to the movement direction of the slide by means of rivets, and the compression spring 17 is fixed between the push block 16 and a sidewall of the inner rail 1, so that the push block 16 can press down toward a closing direction of the slide while compressing the compression spring 17. When the compression spring 17 resets, the push block 16 is pushed out toward an opening direction of the slide and resets. One end of the push rod 15 is fixed to the push block 16, and a second end of the push rod 15 has a pushing surface. In this embodiment, the pushing surface of the push rod 15 is approximately parallel to the bevel of the lock block B 13. Of course, the pushing surface may also be of other suitable shapes. When the push block 16 is pressed down, the push rod 15 is pushed, pushing the lock block B 13 toward one end of the spring clip 18, and pressing down the spring clip 18. At this moment, the inner rail 1 is pushed, causing the middle and inner rail front locking device 25, which is clamped between the lock block A 12 and the lock block B 13, to move out of the space between the lock block A 12 and the lock block B 13 from the lock block B 13, thereby unlocking the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1. Then, the spring clip 18 resets and pushes the lock block B 13 back to its original position, allowing the slide to continue closing. In other words, when the slide is pushed in from the fully extended state of the slide, there is further an unlocking process of the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1: the push rod 15 pushes the lock block B 13, causing the middle and inner rail front locking device 25 to disengage from between the lock block A 12 and the lock block B 13, thereby unlocking the middle rail 2 and the inner rail 1.

The further provision of the middle and inner rail front locking device can ensure that the slide is stably pulled out and pushed in, ensuring a stable locking state between the rails even in the fully extended state of the slide. This further improves the stability of the slide during use and ensures that even when the slide is fully extended, the rails do not become disengaged.

The above description is illustrative of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and the present invention can be modified in any form without departing from the basic structure of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sequential motion slide assembly, comprising a slide and a slide rear locking device, wherein the slide comprises an inner rail (1), a middle rail (2) slidable relative to the inner rail, and an outer rail (3) slidable relative to the middle rail; and the slide rear locking device comprises a middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) provided on the inner rail (1) and located close to a closed end of the inner rail (1), a locking pin (21) provided on the middle rail (2) and located close to a closed end of the middle rail (2), and a middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) provided on the outer rail (3) and located at a middle portion of the outer rail (3);

from a fully closed state of the slide to a first pull-out state of the slide, the locking pin (21) is clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11), thereby locking the inner rail (1) and the middle rail (2);
during the transition from the first pull-out state to a second pull-out state of the slide, after the locking pin (21) clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) makes contact with the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31), the locking pin slides from the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) into the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) along with movement of the slide and becomes clamped; alternatively, after the locking pin (21) clamped in the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) makes contact with the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11), the locking pin slides from the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) to the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) along with the movement of the slide and becomes clamped; and
from the second pull-out state of the slide to a fully extended state of the slide, the locking pin (21) is clamped in the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31), thereby locking the middle rail (2) and the outer rail (3).

2. The sequential motion slide assembly according to claim 1, wherein the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) comprises a first oblique arm (111), a first short arm (112) and a first notch (113) formed by the first oblique arm (111) and the first short arm (112); the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) comprises a second oblique arm (311), a second short arm (312) and a second notch (313) formed by the second oblique arm (311) and the second short arm (312); a straight line where an edge of the second notch (313) lies is tangent to an edge of the first oblique arm (111); a straight line where an edge of the first notch (113) lies is tangent to a straight line where the second oblique arm (311) lies; and the first short arm (112) and the second short arm (312) are both at a preset angle with a movement direction of the slide to clamp the locking pin (21).

3. The sequential motion slide assembly according to claim 2, wherein a sliding track (22) is formed in the middle rail (2); the locking pin (21) passes through the sliding track (22), and both ends of the locking pin (21) protrude from both sides of the middle rail (2), respectively;

a first end of the locking pin (21) is used to extend into the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) and slide in the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31); and a second end of the locking pin (21) is used to extend into the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) and slide in the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11).

4. The sequential motion slide assembly according to claim 3, wherein the slide rear locking device further comprises a torsion spring (23) fixed to the middle rail (2); the torsion spring (23) comprises a first bent arm (233) and a second bent arm (234), an elastic protruding angle (235) is formed at a common end of the first bent arm (233) and the second bent arm (234); and

the protruding angle (235) overlaps with at least part of the sliding track (22), so that the locking pin (21) is capable of moving between the first bent arm (233) and the second bent arm (234) when sliding in the sliding track (22) and is clamped within a range of the first bent arm (233) or the second bent arm (234).

5. The sequential motion slide assembly according to claim 4, wherein a rotatable shaft sleeve (24) is arranged on an outer side of the locking pin (21), and the locking pin (21) moves relative to the torsion spring (23) through the shaft sleeve (24).

6. The sequential motion slide assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a slide front locking device, wherein the slide front locking device comprises a middle and inner rail front locking device (25) provided on the middle rail (2) and located close to an open end of the middle rail (2), a lock block A (12) provided at a middle portion of the inner rail (1), and a lock block B (13) provided at the middle portion of the inner rail (1) and capable of sliding relative to the inner rail (1) in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of the slide; and

in the fully extended state of the slide, the middle and inner rail front locking device (25) makes contact with the lock block B (13) and is capable of pushing the lock block B (13) aside and then being clamped between the lock block A (12) and the lock block B (13), thereby locking the middle rail (2) and the inner rail (1).

7. The sequential motion slide assembly according to claim 6, wherein the slide front locking device comprises a push rod (15) and a push block (16); and one end of the push rod (15) is fixed to the push block (16), and the other end of the push rod (15) is provided with a pushing surface for pushing the lock block B (13), causing the middle and inner rail front locking device (25) to disengage from between the lock block A (12) and the lock block B (13), thereby unlocking the middle rail (2) and the inner rail (1).

8. The sequential motion slide assembly according to claim 6, wherein the slide front locking device comprises a sliding base (14); the lock block B (13) is capable of sliding within a slideway of the sliding base (14); the middle and inner rail front locking device (25) is capable of making contact with and pushing the lock block B (13) from a first end of the slideway; and a spring clip (18) is disposed at a second end of the slideway.

9. A working method of a sequential motion slide assembly implemented by the sequential motion slide assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a slide opening step and a slide closing step, wherein the slide opening step comprises:

in the fully closed state of the slide, the locking pin (21) is clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11), thereby locking the inner rail (1) and the middle rail (2);
during the transition from the fully closed state to the first pull-out state of the slide: at the same time, the middle rail (2) and the inner rail (1) are pulled out until the locking pin (21) makes contact with the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31);
during the transition from the first pull-out state to the second pull-out state of the slide: the locking pin (21) clamped in the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) slides from the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) into the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) and becomes clamped, thereby unlocking the inner rail (1) and the middle rail (2) and locking the middle rail (2) and the outer rail (3); and
during the transition from the second pull-out state to the fully extended state of the slide: the inner rail (1) is continuously pulled out until the slide is fully extended; and
the slide closing step comprises:
during the transition from the fully extended state to the second pull-out state of the slide: the inner rail (1) is pulled in until the locking pin (21) makes contact with the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11);
during the transition from the second pull-out state to the first pull-out state of the slide: the locking pin (21) clamped in the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) slides from the middle and outer rail rear locking device (31) into the middle and inner rail rear locking device (11) and becomes clamped, thereby unlocking the middle rail (2) and the outer rail (3) and locking the middle rail (2) and the inner rail (1); and
during the transition from the first pull-out state of the slide to the fully closed state of the slide: the middle rail (2) and the inner rail (1) are pushed in together until the slide is fully closed.

10. The working method of a sequential motion slide assembly according to claim 9,

before the slide enters the fully extended state of the slide, further comprising a fully locked state of the slide: after the middle and inner rail front locking device (25) makes contact with the lock block B (13), pushes the lock block B (13) aside and then is clamped between the lock block A (12) and the lock block B (13), thereby locking the middle rail (2) and the inner rail (1); and
when the slide is pushed in from the fully extended state of the slide, further comprising an unlocking process of the middle rail (2) and the inner rail (1): the push rod (15) pushes the lock block B (13), causing the middle and inner rail front locking device (25) to disengage from between the lock block A (12) and the lock block B (13), thereby unlocking the middle rail (2) and the inner rail (1).
Patent History
Publication number: 20260206965
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 19, 2025
Publication Date: Jul 23, 2026
Inventors: Bo Lu (Wuxi), Guoping Dai (Wuxi), Zhifa Liang (Wuxi)
Application Number: 19/056,797
Classifications
International Classification: A47B 88/443 (20170101); A47B 88/49 (20170101);