CN110742425A - Connecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connection device that can be detachably connected to an object, and the object includes a connection feature. The connection device includes a connection member, a latch member, and a mounting member. The connection member includes a base and a connection portion connected to the base; the latch member is connected to the connection member, and the latch member has a latch portion; the mounting member is attached to the connection member; when the mounting member is latched with the connection feature of the object, the latch portion of the latch member can be latched at a position of the object, so that the base of the connection member is connected to the object; wherein the latch member can be operated to make the latch portion leave the position of the object, so that the mounting member can be separated from the connection feature of the object, so that the connection member can be removed from the object.

Description

connection device

technical field

The present invention relates to a connecting device, in particular to a connecting device that can be used for an object (such as a rail).

Background technique

For example, US Patent Publication No. US 8,833,715B2 discloses a connecting device for a cable management arm and a slide rail assembly. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 of this case, the slide rail 20 of the slide rail assembly 12 can be connected to the connector 26 of the cable management arm 16 of the cable management device 10 through the connection device 14 . The connecting piece 30 of the connecting device 14 is fixed to the slide rail 20 of the slide rail assembly 12 (for this part, please refer to the 4th column, line 27 of the description of the case), therefore, the connecting piece 30 cannot be removed from the slide rail 20 .

However, since the connecting member 30 of the connecting device 14 is fixedly connected (non-removably connected) to the slide rail 20, sometimes in the operation, maintenance or structural configuration of the slide rail of the slide rail assembly, the connecting device 14 is not suitable for For slide rails, it becomes a redundant component that fails to meet specific market needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a connecting device that can be used for an object.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a connecting device is detachably connected to an object, the object includes a connecting feature, and the connecting device includes a connecting member, a latching member, and at least one mounting member. The connecting piece includes a base and a connecting part connected to the base; the latching piece is connected to the connecting piece, and the latching piece has at least one latching part; the at least one mounting piece is fixedly attached to the connecting piece; wherein , when the at least one mounting piece is abutted against the connecting feature of the object, the at least one latching portion of the latching piece can be latched at a latching position of the object, so that the base of the connecting piece is connected to the the object; wherein the latch is operable to disengage the at least one latch portion from the latching position of the object, so that the at least one mount can be disengaged from the connecting feature of the object, and the connecting piece can be removed from the object Remove.

Preferably, the base of the connector has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the latch is connected to the first surface of the base of the connector.

Preferably, the at least one mounting member is fixedly attached to the second surface of the base of the connecting member.

Preferably, the connection feature of the object includes an inlet end, a closed end and an intermediate section located between the inlet end and the closed end, and the latching position of the object is located at the inlet end of the object.

Preferably, the base of the connecting member has at least one through hole for the at least one latching portion of the latching member to pass through to correspond to the inlet end of the object.

Preferably, the inlet end of the connecting feature of the object has a first width, the middle section has a second width smaller than the first width, and the at least one mounting piece includes a head portion and a body portion, an outer portion of the head portion. The diameter is smaller than the first width and larger than the second width. When the head penetrates from the entrance end of the connecting feature of the object to the closed end through the middle section, the head passes through the latch of the catch. At least one latching portion latches on the latching position of the object, so that the head cannot be arbitrarily withdrawn from the entrance end of the connecting feature of the object.

Preferably, the connection feature of the article includes an inlet end, a closed end, and an intermediate section located between the inlet end and the closed end, the inlet end of the connection feature of the article has a first width, and the intermediate section has a A second width is substantially equal to the first width, the at least one mounting member includes a head portion and a body portion, the outer diameter of the head portion is larger than the first width, and the outer diameter of the body portion is smaller than the first width, When the head passes through the body from the entrance end of the connecting feature of the object and passes through the intermediate section and abuts against the closed end, the head is clamped to the closed end by the at least one latching portion of the latching member. The latching position of the object prevents the head from being arbitrarily withdrawn from the entry end of the connecting feature of the object.

Preferably, the latching member has at least one elastic arm connected to the at least one latching portion.

Preferably, the object is a rail.

Preferably, the connecting portion of the connecting piece is used for connecting a cable management arm.

Preferably, the connecting device further includes an operating member pivotally connected to the connecting member, and the operating member has a contact feature abutting against a portion of the latching member, so that the at least one latching portion of the latching member can pass through the latching member. The operating member is displaced relative to the connecting member.

Preferably, the object further includes another connecting feature, and another mounting piece is fixedly attached to the connecting piece, and when the connecting piece is connected to the object, the another mounting piece can abut against the other connecting feature.

Preferably, the latching position of the object is located in a positioning hole of the object, and the positioning hole is different from the position where the connecting feature is located.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a connecting device is detachably connected to a rail member, the rail member includes a connecting feature, and the connecting device includes a connecting member, a latching member and at least one mounting member. The connecting piece includes a base and a connecting part connected to the base; the latching piece is connected to the connecting piece, and the latching piece has at least one latching part; the at least one mounting piece is attached to the connecting piece, the at least one The mounting piece includes a head and a body; wherein, the connecting feature of the rail includes an inlet end, a closed end and an intermediate section between the inlet end and the closed end, and the entry end of the connecting feature of the rail has a first width, the middle section has a second width smaller than the first width; the outer diameter of the head of the at least one mounting piece is smaller than the first width and larger than the second width, when the head is removed from the rail When the inlet end of the connecting feature of the piece penetrates through the middle section and abuts against the closed end, the head is locked at a locking position of the object through the at least one locking portion of the locking piece, so that the head is locked at a locking position of the object. The catch cannot be arbitrarily withdrawn from the entry end of the connecting feature of the rail; wherein the catch is operable to move the at least one catch away from the catch position of the rail, enabling the at least one mount to be disengaged The connection feature of the rail allows the connection to be removed from the rail.

Description of drawings

In order to further illustrate the above-mentioned objects, structural features and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a connecting device for connecting a rail of a slide rail assembly to a cable management arm of a cable management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded schematic view of the slide rail assembly and the cable management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded schematic view of the connecting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded schematic view of the connecting device and the rail according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the operation process of installing the connecting device to the rail according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the connecting device to the rail according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a schematic diagram showing a view from which the connecting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the rail member, and the latching portion is latched at a position of the rail member.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another view from which the connecting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the rail member, and the latching portion is latched at the position of the rail member.

9 is a schematic diagram showing the view from which the connecting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the rail member, and the latching portion is released from the position of the rail member.

10 is a schematic diagram showing the other view of the connection device connected to the rail member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the latching portion is released from the position of the rail member.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded schematic view of the connecting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows an exploded schematic view of the connecting device and the rail according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the operation process of the connecting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention being installed on the rail.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of the connection device of the second embodiment of the present invention being connected to the rail.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing that the connecting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to the rail, wherein the latching portion is latched at a position of the rail.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing that the connecting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to the rail, wherein the latching portion is released from the position of the rail.

Detailed ways

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the slide rail assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first rail member 22 and a second rail member 24 that can be displaced relative to the first rail member 22 . Wherein, a cable management device 28 can be used to organize the cables of a carrier (eg, electronic equipment) carried by the slide rail assembly 20 . The cable management device 28 includes a first cable management arm 30 and a second cable management arm 32, and one ends of the first cable management arm 30 and the second cable management arm 32 are pivotally connected to each other. Wherein, the other end of the first cable management arm 30 is detachably connected to a rear section 22a of the first rail 22, and the other end of the second cable management arm 32 is detachably connected to a connection device 34. Specifically, the connecting device 34 is detachably connected to an object, in this embodiment, the object is a rail, and the rail is the second rail 24 as an example.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the second rail 24 includes a connecting feature 36 . The connecting feature 36 includes an inlet end 36a, a closed end 36b and a middle section 36c located between the inlet end 36a and the closed end 36b, and the second rail 24 has a latching position 38 . The detent position 38 is located at the inlet end 36a, eg, the detent position 38 is a wall or a wall around the inlet end 36a. Further, the inlet end 36a of the connecting feature 36 has a first width W1, and the middle section 36c has a second width W2 smaller than the first width W1. Preferably, the second rail 24 further includes another connecting feature 40 , which is spaced from the connecting feature 36 , and the other connecting feature 40 is, for example, a notch, but the implementation is not limited.

The connecting device 34 includes a connecting member 42 , a latching member 44 and at least one mounting member 46 . Preferably, another mounting member 48 and an operating member 50 are also included.

The connecting member 42 includes a base 52 and a connecting portion 54 connected to the base 52 . Preferably, the connecting portion 54 can be used for connecting a cable management arm (such as the second cable management arm 32 described above). Preferably, the base 52 has a first surface S1 and a second surface S2 opposite to the first surface S1. Preferably, the base 52 of the connector 42 has at least one through hole 55 .

The latching member 44 is connected to the connecting member 42 . The latching member 44 has at least one latching portion 56 . The at least one latching portion 56 is, for example, a protrusion or a hook, but the implementation is not limited. Preferably, the latching member 44 has at least one elastic arm 45 connected to the at least one latching portion 56 . Preferably, the latching member 44 is connected to the first surface S1 of the base 52 of the connecting member 42 . Preferably, the at least one latching portion 56 of the latching member 44 passes through the through hole 55 of the connecting member 42, and the position of the at least one latching portion 56 corresponds to the inlet end 36a ( This part can be used with reference to Figure 6).

The at least one mounting piece 46 and the other mounting piece 48 are attached to the connecting piece 42 . Preferably, the at least one mounting member 46 and the other mounting member 48 are fixedly attached to the second surface S2 of the base 52 of the connecting member 42 . The at least one mounting member 46 includes a head portion 46 a and a body portion 46 b connected to the head portion 46 a , and one end of the body portion 46 b is connected to the second surface S2 of the base 52 of the connecting member 42 . On the other hand, the outer diameter of the head portion 46 a is smaller than the first width W1 of the connecting feature 36 , and the outer diameter of the head portion 46 a is larger than the second width W2 of the connecting feature 36 . Preferably, the two mounting members 46 and 48 have the same structural features.

The operating member 50 can be used to operate the latching member 44 to move. Preferably, the operating member 50 is pivotally connected to at least one ear portion 60 of the connecting member 42 through a shaft member 58 .

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , during an installation process, the connecting device 34 may be in a first position P1 relative to the second rail 24 . Wherein, when in the first position P1 (as shown in FIG. 5 ), the head 46a of at least one mounting member 46 of the connecting device 34 can penetrate through the inlet end 36a of the connecting feature 36 of the second rail member 24 On the other hand, the other mounting member 48 is adjacent to the entrance of the other connecting feature 40 of the second rail member 24 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 , 7 and 8 , the connecting device 34 can be in a second position P2 relative to the second rail 24 to complete the operation procedure of connecting the connecting device 34 to the second rail 24 . Wherein, when at least one mounting member 46 of the connecting device 34 is engaged with the connecting feature 36 of the second rail member 24, the at least one latching portion 56 of the latching member 44 can be latched on the second rail The latching position 38 of the member 24 connects the base 52 of the connecting member 42 to the second rail member 24 . Preferably, when the connecting member 42 is connected to the second rail member 24 , the other mounting member 48 can abut against the other connecting feature 40 .

Specifically, the connecting device 34 can be displaced from the first position P1 (as shown in FIG. 5 ) to the second position P2 (as shown in FIG. 6 ) relative to the second rail 24 in a direction D to the second position P2 (as shown in FIG. 6 ). During the process, the head 46a of at least one mounting piece 46 of the connecting device 34 abuts against the closed end 36b from the entrance end 36a of the connecting feature 36 of the second rail 24 through the intermediate section 36c. At this time, the head The part 46a is latched to the latching position 38 of the second rail 24 through the at least one latching part 56 of the latch 44, so that the head 46a cannot be arbitrarily removed from the connecting feature of the second rail 24 The entry end 36a of 36 is withdrawn or disengaged. Preferably, the at least one latching portion 56 can keep latched on the latching position 38 of the second rail member 24 by the elastic force of the elastic arm 45 . On the other hand, when the connecting device 34 is in the second position P2 relative to the second rail member 24 , the other mounting member 48 enters and snaps against the other connecting feature 40 of the second rail member 24 .

As shown in FIGS. 7 , 8 , 9 and 10 , when the connecting device 34 is in the second position P2 relative to the second rail member 24 , the latching member 44 is operable to make the at least one latching portion 56 moves away from the latching position 38 of the second rail 24 so that the at least one mounting piece 46 can be disengaged from the connecting feature 36 of the second rail 24 and the connecting piece 42 can be removed from the second rail 24 .

Specifically, if the connecting device 34 is to be removed from the second rail member 24 , the user can operate the latching member 44 to move (as shown in FIG. 10 ), so that the at least one of the latching member 44 is moved. The latching portion 56 is no longer latched to the latching position 38 of the second rail member 24 (the at least one latching portion 56 of the latching member 44 in FIG. The state of the latching position 38 can be displaced into a state in which the at least one latching portion 56 of the latching member 44 of FIG. 9 is separated from the latching position 38), so that the head 46a of the at least one mounting member 46 can be removed from the second rail The entry end 36a of the connecting feature 36 of the piece 24 is withdrawn or disengaged. In other words, the connector 42 can be disengaged from the connecting feature 36 of the second rail 24, allowing the connector 42 to be removed from the second rail 24 (as to how the connector 42 is removed from the second rail 24 Refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 4 for cooperation in sequence. Preferably, the operating member 50 has a contact feature 62 abutting against a portion 64 of the latching member (as shown in FIG. 8 ). The at least one latching portion 56 of the latching member 44 can be displaced relative to the connecting member 42 , so the at least one latching portion 56 is no longer latched to the latching position 38 of the second rail member 24 .

As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , the connecting device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is detachably connected to an object, and the object is a rail 202 . The connecting feature 203 of the rail 202 includes an inlet end 203a, a closed end 203b and an intermediate section 203c located between the inlet end 203a and the closed end 203b. The inlet end 203a has a first width W1, and the intermediate section 203c has a second width W2 substantially equal to the first width W1. The latching position 205 of the rail member 202 is located at a positioning hole H of the rail member 202 , and the positioning hole H is different from the position where the connecting feature 203 is located. For example, the latching position 205 is a wall or a wall surface around the positioning hole H. As shown in FIG.

The connecting device includes a connecting member 204 , a latching member 206 and at least one mounting member 208 . The connecting member 204 includes a base 210 and a connecting portion 212 connected to the base 210 . The latching member 206 is connected to the connecting member 204 , and the latching member 206 has at least one latching portion 214 . Preferably, the latching member 206 has at least one elastic arm 216 connected to the at least one latching portion 214 . The at least one mounting member 208 is attached to the connecting member 204 . For example, the at least one mounting member 208 is inserted through the base 210 of the connecting member 204 . Preferably, the at least one mounting member 208 includes a head portion 208a and a body portion 208b, the outer diameter of the head portion 208a is larger than the first width W1, and the outer diameter of the body portion 208b is smaller than the first width W1.

As shown in FIGS. 12 , 13 and 14 , when the at least one mounting member 208 is engaged with the connecting feature 203 of the rail member 202 , the at least one latching portion 214 of the latching member 206 can be latched on The latching position 205 of the rail member 202 (as shown in FIG. 14 ) enables the base 210 of the connecting member 204 to be connected to the rail member 202 .

Specifically, the connecting device 200 can be displaced relative to the rail 202 from the first position P1 (as shown in FIG. 13 ) to the second position P2 (as shown in FIG. 14 ). The head 208a of at least one mounting piece 208 penetrates through the body 208b from the inlet end 203a of the connecting feature 203 of the rail piece 202, and passes through the middle section 203c to abut the closed end 203b (as shown in FIG. 14 ) At this time, the head 208a is locked at the locking position 205 of the rail 202 through the at least one locking portion 214 of the locking member 206, so that the head 208a cannot be arbitrarily removed from the rail 202. The entry end 203a of the connection feature 203 is withdrawn or disengaged. Preferably, the at least one latching portion 214 can be retained at the latching position 205 of the rail member 202 by the elastic force of the elastic arm 216 .

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the latching member 206 is operable to move the at least one latching portion 214 away from the latching position 205 of the rail member 202 , so that the at least one mounting member 208 (as shown in FIG. 14 ) ) can be disengaged from the connecting feature 203 of the rail 202 , allowing the connecting piece 204 to be removed from the rail 202 . In this embodiment, the latching member 206 can be pressed by a force F (as shown in FIG. 16 ), so that the at least one latching portion 214 is separated from the latching position 205 of the rail member 202 .

According to the above description, it can be seen that the enhancement effect and advantage of the present invention are:

(1) The connecting devices 34 and 200 are detachably connected to an object (such as a rail), and the connecting devices 34 and 200 can be used for connecting the object to a cable management arm (such as the first cable management arm of the cable management device 28 ). 30 or the second cable management arm 32).

(2) When at least one mounting member 46, 208 is engaged with the connecting feature 36, 203 of the object, at least one latching portion 56, 214 of the latching member 44, 206 can be latched to a latching latch of the object position so that the bases 52, 210 of the connectors 42, 204 are connected to the object.

(3) The latching member 44, 206 is operable to move the at least one latching portion 56, 214 away from the latching position of the object, so that the at least one mounting member 46, 208 can be disengaged from the connecting feature 36, 203 of the object , so that the connector 42, 204 can be removed from the object.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the present specific embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, and can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention Various equivalent changes and modifications, therefore, as long as the changes and modifications to the above-mentioned embodiments within the essential spirit of the present invention, will fall within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims (20)

1. A coupling device for detachably coupling to an article, the article comprising a coupling feature, the coupling feature comprising:

the connecting device includes:

the connecting piece comprises a base and a connecting part connected with the base;

a clamping part is connected with the connecting piece and is provided with at least one clamping part; and

at least one mounting member fixedly attached to the connecting member;

when the at least one mounting piece is clamped with the connection feature of the object, the at least one clamping part of the clamping piece can be clamped at a clamping position of the object, so that the base of the connecting piece is connected to the object;

the clamping part can be operated to enable the at least one clamping part to be separated from the clamping position of the object, so that the at least one mounting part can be separated from the connecting feature of the object, and the connecting piece can be detached from the object.

2. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the base of the connecting member has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the engaging member is connected to the first surface of the base of the connecting member.

3. A connection device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one mounting member is fixedly attached to the second face of the base of the connection member.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connection feature of the object comprises an entrance end, a closed end, and a middle section between the entrance end and the closed end, the detent of the object being at the entrance end of the object.

5. The connecting device of claim 4, wherein the base of the connecting member has at least one through hole for the at least one engaging portion of the engaging member to pass through to correspond to the entrance end of the object.

6. The connecting device of claim 5, wherein the inlet end of the connecting feature of the object has a first width, the intermediate section has a second width smaller than the first width, the at least one mounting member comprises a head portion and a body portion, the outer diameter of the head portion is smaller than the first width and larger than the second width, and when the head portion penetrates from the inlet end of the connecting feature of the object through the intermediate section and abuts against the closed end, the head portion is engaged against the engaging position of the object by the at least one engaging portion of the engaging member, such that the head portion cannot be arbitrarily withdrawn from the inlet end of the connecting feature of the object.

7. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the connecting feature of the object comprises an inlet end, a closed end, and a middle section between the inlet end and the closed end, the inlet end of the connecting feature of the object has a first width, the middle section has a second width substantially equal to the first width, the at least one mounting member comprises a head portion and a body portion, the head portion has an outer diameter greater than the first width, the body portion has an outer diameter less than the first width, and when the head portion penetrates from the inlet end of the connecting feature of the object through the middle section and abuts against the closed end via the body portion, the head portion is engaged with the engaging position of the object via the at least one engaging portion of the engaging member such that the head portion cannot arbitrarily exit from the inlet end of the connecting feature of the object.

8. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the latching member has at least one resilient arm connected to the at least one latching portion.

9. The connecting device of claim 1 wherein said object is a rail.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the connector portion of the connector is configured to be connected to a cable management arm.

11. The connecting device of claim 1, further comprising an operating member pivotally coupled to the connecting member, wherein the operating member has a contact feature that abuts a portion of the latching member, such that the at least one latching portion of the latching member is capable of moving relative to the connecting member through operation of the operating member.

12. A connection device according to claim 1, wherein the article further comprises a further connection feature, and a further mounting element is fixedly attached to the connection element, the further mounting element being abuttable against the further connection feature when the connection element is connected to the article.

13. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the detent position of the object is located in a positioning hole of the object, and the positioning hole is different from the position of the connecting feature.

14. A coupling device for removably coupling to an object, the rail comprising a coupling feature, the coupling feature comprising:

the connecting device includes:

the connecting piece comprises a base and a connecting part connected with the base;

a clamping part is connected with the connecting piece and is provided with at least one clamping part; and

at least one mounting member attached to the connecting member, the at least one mounting member including a head portion and a body portion;

wherein the connecting feature of the rail member comprises an inlet end, a closed end and a middle section located between the inlet end and the closed end, the inlet end of the connecting feature of the rail member has a first width, and the middle section has a second width smaller than the first width; the outer diameter of the head of the at least one mounting part is smaller than the first width and larger than the second width, when the head penetrates from the inlet end of the connecting feature of the rail part and abuts against the closed end through the middle section, the head is clamped at a clamping position of the object through the at least one clamping part of the clamping part, so that the head cannot arbitrarily withdraw from the inlet end of the connecting feature of the rail part;

the clamping part can operably enable the at least one clamping part to leave from the clamping position of the rail part, so that the at least one mounting part can be separated from the connecting characteristic of the rail part, and the connecting part can be detached from the rail part.

15. The connecting device of claim 14, wherein the latching member has at least one resilient arm connected to the at least one latching portion.

16. The connecting device of claim 14, wherein the base of the connecting member has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the engaging member is connected to the first surface of the base of the connecting member.

17. A connection device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one mounting member is fixedly attached to the second face of the base of the connector.

18. The connecting device of claim 14, wherein the base of the connecting member has at least one through hole for the at least one engaging portion of the engaging member to pass through to correspond to the entrance end of the object.

19. The connector of claim 14, wherein the connector portion of the connector is configured to be connected to a cable management arm.

20. The connecting device of claim 14, further comprising an operating member pivotally coupled to the connecting member, wherein the operating member has a contact feature that abuts a portion of the latching member, such that the at least one latching portion of the latching member is capable of moving relative to the connecting member by operation of the operating member.

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