Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUXILIARY POSITIONING DEVICE FOR SLIDE ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an auxiliary positioning device, and more
particularly, to an auxiliary positioning device for a slide assembly to
control the
slide assembly to be positioned by operation of the auxiliary positioning
device
when the slide assembly is to be closed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Patent No. 5,040,833 to Brunnert discloses a "Closing Device For
Drawers", which includes a drawer installed to a furniture body. The drawer is
movable between a closed position and an open position, as shown in Figs. 2-6,
18a
and 18b of U.S. Patent No. 5,040,833. A spring is located between the drawer
and
the furniture body. A holding member is fixed to the furniture body and has a
front
end. A latch member is fixed to the drawer and includes a first raised area
and a
second raised area, wherein the second raised area includes a notch which is
located corresponding to the first raised area. The second raised area f
irther
includes an inclined guide track. When the drawer is located at the closed
position relative to the fu niture body, the front end of the holding member
is
guided by the inclined guide track of the second raised area to be engaged
with the
notch of the second raised area. When the drawer applies a force relative to
the
furniture body, the front end of the holding member is guided by the guide
track of
the first raised area to be engaged with another guide track and is disengaged
from
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the notch. The drawer is pushed by the force of the spring and moved to a
self-opening position relative to the furniture body.
The front end of the holding member is in a free status when the drawer is
opened relative to the furniture body and the holding member is disengaged
from
the latch member. In this status, when the drawer is pushed to its closed
position,
the drawer can only travel through the same processes to let the front end of
the
holding member engage with the notch of the latch member.
However, if the demand is that the holding member and the latch member
do not have a locked relationship when the drawer is located at the close
status,
especially when the drawer has a self-closing function. The relationship
between
the holding member and the latch member has to be changed. The present
invention
provides an improved structure to include the functions which the conventional
closing device does not have.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slide assembly with an auxiliary
positioning device and comprises a first slide member and a second slide
member
which is longitudinally and slidably movable relative to the first slide
member. The
second slide member has a stored opening force relative to the first slide
member
when in a closed position. The auxiliary positioning device comprises a
positioning
member, a guiding base and a link member. The positioning member is pivotally
connected to the first slide member and includes a pin member. The guiding
base is
attached to the second slide member and comprises a first passage, a first
slot and a
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first wall, wherein the first wall has a first guide surface facing the first
passage.
The guiding base further comprises a second passage, a second slot and a
second
wall, wherein the second wall has a second guide surface facing the second
passage.
The guiding base further comprises a separation body having a guiding end
which
faces the first slot. The guiding base further comprises an engaging body
having an
engaging surface which has a portion facing the second slot. The guiding base
further comprises a third passage, a third slot and a third wall, wherein the
third
wall has a third guide surface facing the rest portion of the engaging
surface. The
guiding base further comprises a fourth wall having a fourth guide surface.
The link
member is located corresponding to the positioning member.
When the second slide member is in a closed position relative to the first
slide member, the pin member is located in a first path in the first passage
of the
guiding base.
When the second slide member applies a force relative to the first slide
member, the pin member is guided by the first guide surface of the first wall
and
moves from the first path to the first slot. The pin member is located at a
first
position.
When the force is released, the pin member is guided by the guiding end
of the separation body and moves from the first position to a second path in
the
second passage.
When the second slide member is retracted relative to the first slide
member, the pin member is guided by the second guide surface of the second
wall
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4
and moves from the second path to the second slot via the second
passage. The pin member is located in a second position. When the second slide
member is released, the pin member moves away from the second position and is
engaged with the engaging surface of the engaging body and located in a third
position.
When the second slide member further applies a force relative to the
first slide member again, the pin member is guided by the third guide surface
of
the third wall and moves from the third position into the third slot. The pin
member is located in a fourth position. When the second slide member is
released, the pin member is guided by the fourth guide surface of the fourth
wall.
When the second slide member moves relative to the first slide
member, the link member pivots the positioning member by the movement of the
second slide member.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a slide
assembly with an auxiliary positioning device, comprising: a first slide
member;
a second slide member longitudinally and slidably movable relative to the
first
slide member, the second slide member having a stored opening force relative
to
the first slide member when in a closed position; the auxiliary positioning
device
comprising: a positioning member pivotably connected to the first slide
member,
the positioning member including a pin member; a guiding base attached to the
second slide member, the guiding base comprising a first passage, a first slot
and
a first wall, the first wall having a first guide surface facing the first
passage; a
second passage, a second slot and a second wall, the second wall having a
second guide surface facing the second passage; a separation body having a
guiding end which faces the first slot; an engaging body having an engaging
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4a
surface which has a portion facing the second slot; a third passage, a third
slot
and a third wall, the third wall having a third guide surface facing the rest
portion of the engaging surface; a fourth wall having a fourth guide surface;
and
a link member located corresponding to the positioning member; wherein the pin
member is located in a first path in the first passage of the guiding base
when the
second slide member is in the closed position relative to the first slide
member;
wherein the pin member is guided by the first guide surface of the first wall
and
moves from the first path to the first slot and the pin member is located at a
first
position when the second slide member applies a force relative to the first
slide
member; wherein the pin member is guided by the guiding end of the separation
body and moves from the first position to a second path in the second passage
when the force is released; wherein the pin member is guided by the second
guide surface of the second wall and moves away from the second path to the
second slot via the second passage and the pin member is located in a second
position when the second slide member is retracted relative to the first slide
member; the pin member moves away from the second position to engage with
the engaging surface of the engaging body and located in a third position when
the second slide member is released; wherein the pin member is guided by the
third guide surface of the third wall and moves from the third position into
the
third slot and the pin member is located in a fourth position when the second
slide member further applies a force relative to the first slide member; the
pin
member is guided by the fourth guide surface of the fourth wall when the
second
slide member is released; wherein the link member pivots the positioning
member by the movement of the second slide member when the second slide
member moves relative to the first slide member.
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4b
The present invention provides an auxiliary positioning device for a
slide assembly to control the slide assembly to be positioned by operation of
the
auxiliary positioning device when the slide assembly is to be closed, such
that
the slide assembly is easily operated whenever it is closed or opened.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following
description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which
show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance
with the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Fig. I shows the slide assembly according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a portion of the slide assembly according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows the auxiliary positioning device according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows that the positioning member is located in the first path
relative to the guiding base when the second slide member is retracted
relative to
the first slide member according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 5 shows that the second slide member applies a force relative to the
first slide member and the positioning member is located at the first position
relative to the guiding base according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 6 shows that when the force is released, the positioning member is
guided by the guiding base according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 7 shows that when the force is released, the positioning member is
located in the second path relative to the guiding base according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 shows that when the second slide member is retracted relative to
the first slide member, the positioning member is located in the second
position
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relative to the guiding base according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 9 shows that when the second slide member is released, the
positioning member is located at the third position relative to the guiding
base
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 shows that when the second slide member is further pressed
relative to the first slide member, the positioning member is located at the
fourth
position relative to the guiding base according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
Fig. 11 shows that the positioning member is guided by the fourth guide
surface of the guiding base according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 12 shows that when the second slide member is pulled relative to the
first slide member, the link member is moved to push the positioning member
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing the link member leaning against the
positioning member according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a schematic view showing the link member leaning against the
positioning member according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 15 is an exploded view of the guiding base according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
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Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the guiding base according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 17 is an exploded view of the guiding base according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 18 is an assembled view of the guiding base according to the fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 19 is a schematic view showing a portion of the slide assembly
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 20 is an assembled view showing the guiding base and the adjusting
member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and
Fig. 21 is a schematic view showing a portion of the slide assembly
according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the slide assembly of the present invention
comprises a first slide member 10, a second slide member 12 longitudinally and
slidably movable relative to the first slide member 10, a movable member 14
connected to the first slide member 10 and an auxiliary positioning device 16.
The first slide member 10 includes a bottom board 18.
The second slide member 12 includes a first connector 20 and a second
connector 22.
The movable member 14 is linked to move by the first connector 20 of
the second slide member 12. For example, when the second slide member 12 is
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retracted relative to the first slide member 10 as shown in Fig. 4, the
movable
member 14 is connected to a first elastic member 24 and includes a first force
FI in
a first direction and the first force Fl applies to the second slide member
12. The
movable member 14 is engaged with the first connector 20, such that the second
slide member 12 has a self-closing function relative to the first slide member
10 by
the force of the first elastic member 24. When the second slide member 12
applies a
force to the first slide member 10, as shown in Fig. 5, the second slide
member 12
is pushed to a distance, the first connector 20 is disengaged from the movable
member 14 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and the force of the first elastic member
24
does not apply to the second slide member 12. In other words, the first force
F1 that
the movable member 14 applies to the second slide member 12 is released. As
shown in Fig. 1, by a pushing member 26 to engage with the second connector 22
and a second elastic member 28 connected to the pushing member 26 for applying
a second force F2 to the second slide member 12 in a second direction, the
second
slide member 12 has a self-opening function relative to the first slide member
10.
When the second slide member 12 is in a retracted status relative to the first
slide
member 10, the second slide member 12 will store a force to pop out the second
slide member 12. The dual functions, self-closing and self-opening functions,
have
been disclosed in the applicant's former U.S. Patent Application 12/505,791
which
is a reference when studying the present invention.
The auxiliary positioning device 16 comprises a positioning member 30
which is pivotably connected to the first slide member 10, a guiding base 32
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attached to the second slide member 12, and a link member 34 movably connected
to the first slide member 10.
The positioning member 30 includes a pin member 36 and a contact end
38 which is located at a different position from that of the pin member 36.
The
positioning member 30 is linked to move by the link member 34 to keep the pin
member 36 at a specific position.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the guiding base 32 comprises a first wall 40, a
second wall 42, a third wall 44, a fourth wall 46, a connection wall 48, a
separation
body 50 and an engaging body 52. The connection wall 48 is connected to the
first,
second, third and fourth walls 40, 42, 44, 46. The first wall 40 and the
separation
body 50 define a first passage 54. The separation body 50 and the engaging
body
52 define a second passage 56. The engaging body 52 and the fourth wall 46
define
a third passage 58. The separation body 50 has a guiding end 60. The engaging
body 52 includes an engaging surface 62 which is a recessed area. The first,
second
and connection walls 40, 42, 48 define a first slot 64a. The second, third and
connection walls 42, 44, 48 define a second slot 64b. The third, fourth and
the
connection walls 44, 46, 48 define a third slot 64c. The third slot 64c faces
the third
passage 58. The first wall 40 has a first guide surface 66 in the longitudinal
direction facing a portion of the first passage 54 so as to guide the first
passage 54
to face the first slot 64a. The second wall 42 has a second guide surface 68
in the
longitudinal direction facing a portion of the second passage 56 so as to
guide the
second passage 56 to face the second slot 64b. The third wall 44 has a third
guide
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surface 70 in the longitudinal direction facing a portion of the engaging
surface 62
of the engaging body 52. The fourth wall 46 includes a fourth guide surface 72
so
as to guide the pin member 36 of the positioning member 30 to face the second
passage 56. A portion of the guiding end 60 of the separation body 50 faces a
portion of the first slot 64a in the longitudinal direction so as to guide the
first slot
64a to face the second passage 56. The rest portion of the engaging surface 62
of
the engaging body 52 faces the second slot 64b in the longitudinal direction.
In this
embodiment, the engaging body 52 further includes a fifth guide surface 74
which
faces the second passage 56.
The link member 34 is moved by the movable member 14. The link
member 34 has an operation end 76 to lean against the contact end 38 of the
positioning member 30. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the positioning member 30 is
pivoted by the link member 34 and rotated an angle relative to the first slide
member 10.
Referring to Fig. 4, the second slide member 12 is in a retraced position
relative to the first slide member 10. The pin member 36 of the positioning
member 30 is located in a first path R1 relative to the first passage 54 of
the
guiding base 32 and the first force F1 of the movable member 14 applies to the
second slide member 12 so that the second slide member 12 is maintained in the
retracted position relative to the first slide member 10.
Referring to Fig. 5, the second slide member 12 applies a force to the first
slide member 10, the guiding base 32 moves relative to the positioning member
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and the pin member 36 of the positioning member 30 is guided by the first
guide
surface 66 of the first wall 40 of the guiding base 32 from the first path RI
in the
first passage 54 to the first slot 64a of the guiding base 32, and the pin
member 36
is located at a first position P 1.
When the force that the second slide member 12 applies to the first slide
member 10 is released, the first connector 20 of the second slide member 12 is
disengaged from the movable member 14 so that the first force F1 from the
first
elastic member 24 no longer applies to the second slide member 12. The pushing
member 26 and the second elastic member 28 apply the second force F2 to the
second connector 22 of the second slide member 12 (referring to Fig. 1 and the
disclosure in U.S. Patent Application 12/505,791). The second slide member 12
is
automatically opened relative to the first slide member 10. As shown in Figs.
6 and
7, the guiding base 32 is moved together with the second slide member 12
relative
to the positioning member 30, the pin member 36 of the positioning member 30
is
guided by the guiding end 60 of the separation body 50 and moves from the
first
position P 1 in the first slot 64a to a second path R2 via the second passage
56 of the
guiding base 32. In this status, the second slide member 12 freely pops out
and can
be pulled out relative to the first slide member 10.
When the force applied to the first slide member 10 by the second slide
member 12 is released, the second slide member 12 only pops out a small
distance
relative to the first slide member 10. If the second slide member 12 is not
pulled out
and moves the movable member 14, the second slide member 12 is pushed inward
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relative to the first slide member 10, as shown in Fig. 8, the guiding base 32
is
moved relative to the positioning member 30, and the pin member 36 of the
positioning member 30 is moved from the second path R2 to the second slot 64b
and located at a second position P2 by the guidance of the second guide
surface 68
of the second wall 42 and via the second passage 56.
Fig. 9 shows the action following the status in Fig. 8. When the force
applied to the second slide member 12 is released, the second slide member 12
will
drive the guiding base 32 relative to the first slide member 10 to move from
the
positioning member 30 by the second force F2. The pin member 36 of the
positioning member 30 moves away from the second position P2 and is engaged
with the engaging surface 62 of the engaging body 52 so as to be positioned at
a
third positioning P3.
When the second slide member 12 is popped out relative to the first slide
member 10 and the second slide member 12 is not pulled relative to the first
slide
member 10 to a distance for moving the movable member 14 to a position that
stores a force to return the second slide member 12 automatically, by changing
the
path between the pin member 36 in the first passage 54 and the second passage
56
as well as the pin member 36 to engage with the engaging surface 62 of the
engaging body 52, the second slide member 12 can be pushed inward relative to
the
first slide member 10 and maintained at the retracted position. Accordingly,
the
second slide member 12 has no need to be pulled out for a longer distance
relative
to the first slide member 10.
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When the second slide member 12 applies a push force relative to the first
slide member 10 again, as shown in Fig. 10, the guiding base 32 moves relative
to
the positioning member 30 and the pin member 36 is guided by the third guide
surface 70 of the third wall 44 from the engaging surface 62 of the engaging
body
52 to the third slot 64c of the guiding base 32. The pin member 36 is then
located at
a fourth position P4. In this status, when the second slide member 12 is
released
again, the second slide member 12 freely pops out or is pulled out to a
further
distance relative to the first slide member 10, as shown in Fig. 11. The pin
member
36 moves along the fourth guide surface 72 of the fourth wall 46 of the
guiding
base 32. When the second slide member 12 is further pushed inward relative to
the
first slide member 10 again, the pin member 36 is guided by the fifth guide
surface
74 of the engaging body 52 and enters the second passage 56.
Fig. 12 shows that when the second slide member 12 is pulled out relative
to the first slide member 10 and the movable member 14 is moved to a position
that
stores sufficient return force to bring the second slide member 12, the link
member
34 is moved by the movement of the movable member 14. The operation end 76 of
the link member 34 leans against the contact end 38 of the positioning member
30
to pivot the positioning member 30 to move the pin member 36 back to the first
passage 54, which corresponds to the first path R1. Accordingly, when the
second
slide member 12 is retracted relative to the first slide member 10, the second
slide
member 12 is back to the status as shown in Fig. 4.
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Fig. 13 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein
the movable member 200 includes a link member 202 which extends to the
positioning member 30. When the second slide member 12 is pulled out, relative
to
the first slide member 10, to the position that can be automatically retracted
as
mentioned above, the positioning member 30 is pivoted by the link member 202
and the pin member 36 of the positioning member 30 is located in the first
path Rl.
Fig. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein a link
member 300 is fixed to the second slide member 12 and located corresponding to
the positioning member 30. When the second slide member 12 is pulled out,
relative to the first slide member 10, to the position that can be
automatically
retracted as mentioned above, the positioning member 30 is pivoted by the link
member 300 and the pin member 36 of the positioning member 30 is located in
the
first path R1.
Fig. 15 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which
includes a guiding base 400 and a connection board 402. The guiding base 400
includes a pair of engaging portions 404 and an engaging hole 406. The
connection
board 402 includes a pair of engaging slots 408 and an engaging member 410
corresponding to the engaging hole 406 so as to position the guiding base 400,
as
shown in Fig. 16. In this embodiment, the connection board 402 is connected to
the
second slide member 12 such that the guiding base 400 is connected to the
second
slide member 12.
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Figs. 17 and 18 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which
includes a guiding base 500, a connection board 502, an adjusting member 504
and
a pivot member 506. The guiding base 500 includes a protrusion 508, a
connection
member 510, a longitudinal groove 512, and a recess 514. The connection board
502 includes a first longitudinal slot 516, a second longitudinal slot 518, a
fixing
hole 520 and a protruding portion 522. The protrusion 508 extends beyond the
first
longitudinal slot 516. The connection member 510 is inserted in the second
longitudinal slot 518. The protruding portion 522 is engaged with a portion of
the
recess 514 so that the guiding base 500 is movably connected to the connection
board 502 and moves longitudinally. The adjusting member 504 includes an
aperture 524 and a spiral recess 526. The pivot member 506 extends through the
aperture 524 of the adjusting member 504 and is connected with the fixing hole
520
of the connection board 502, such that the adjusting member 504 is rotatable
relative to the connection board 502.
Figs. 19 and 20 show the assembled configuration of the fifth
embodiment. A portion of the second slide member 12 is connected with the
longitudinal groove 512 of the guiding base 500. The connection board 502 is
fixed to the second slide member 12. The protrusion 508 of the guiding base
500 is
movable in the spiral recess 526. When the adjusting member 504 is rotated by
the
user, the protrusion 508 of the guiding base 500 will be moved in the spiral
recess
526 and the guiding base 500 will be moved longitudinally relative to the
connection board 502. Therefore, when the guiding base 500 is adjusted to move
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longitudinally relative to the second slide member 12 by operation of the
adjusting
member 504, a relative position between the guiding base 500 and the
positioning
member 30 is adjusted. Besides, this embodiment further includes a third
elastic
member 528 and a stop 530 which is urged by the third elastic member 528 to be
contact with an end outside of the longitudinal groove 512 of the guiding base
500,
such that the depth in the longitudinal direction of the second slide member
12
relative to the first slide member 10 can also be adjusted. This allows the
assemblers to micro-adjust the depth of the drawer in the furniture.
Fig. 21 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein a
roller 602 is connected to a guiding base 600 and the roller 620 has a rolling
surface facing the bottom board 18 of the first slide member 10. When the load
in
the drawer applies to the second slide member 12, the second slide member 12
slightly moves downward relative to the first slide member 10, the rolling
surface
of the roller 602 is supported between the guiding base 600 and the bottom
board
18 of the first slide member 10 so as to ensure that the guiding base 600 is
maintained at a position relative to the positioning member 30.
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