(19) |
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EP 3 069 633 A1 |
(12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
(43) |
Date of publication: |
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21.09.2016 Bulletin 2016/38 |
(22) |
Date of filing: 16.03.2015 |
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(51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC):
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(84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Designated Extension States: |
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BA ME |
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Designated Validation States: |
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MA |
(71) |
Applicants: |
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- King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
Kaohsiung City (TW)
- King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.
Kaohsiung City (TW)
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(72) |
Inventors: |
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- Chen, Ken-Ching
Kaohsiung City (TW)
- Yang, Shun-Ho
Kaohsiung City (TW)
- Huang, Chien-Li
Kaohsiung City (TW)
- Wang, Chun-Chiang
Kaohsiung City (TW)
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(74) |
Representative: Viering, Jentschura & Partner mbB
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte |
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Kennedydamm 55 / Roßstrasse 40476 Düsseldorf 40476 Düsseldorf (DE) |
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Remarks: |
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Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC. |
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(54) |
Rail mounting structure |
(57) A rail mounting structure (20) includes a rail member (22), an auxiliary member (24),
and a resilient member (26). The rail member (22) includes first and second mounting
slots (30, 32). The auxiliary member (24) is movably mounted to the rail member (22)
and includes first and second portions (36, 38). The resilient member (26) provides
a resilient force acting on the auxiliary member (24) such that the auxiliary member
(24) is kept at a predetermined position (PI) relative to the rail member (22) where
the first and second portions (36, 38) of the auxiliary member (24) are adjacent to
the first and second mounting slots (30, 32) respectively.
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Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail and more particularly to a rail mounting
structure to which objects of different length specifications can be mounted.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Generally, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail and a second rail, wherein
the second rail can be longitudinally displaced relative to the first rail in order
to be located at a retracted or extended position. Also, the second rail can be mounted
with an object (e.g., a piece of electronic equipment, a drawer, or the like), and
the way in which the object is mounted to the second rail may vary, depending on actual
mounting requirements. For example,
U.S. Patent No. 6,938,967 B2 discloses a slide rail assembly having a rail member with a mounting slot, wherein
the mounting slot is adapted to engage with a mounting post of an object.
Summary of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a rail mounting structure applicable to objects
of different length specifications.
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a rail mounting structure includes
a rail member, an auxiliary member, and a resilient member. The rail member includes
a first mounting slot and a second mounting slot. The auxiliary member is movably
mounted to the rail member and includes a first portion and a second portion. The
resilient member provides a resilient force acting on the auxiliary member. The auxiliary
member is kept at a predetermined position relative to the rail member by the resilient
force of the resilient member. While the auxiliary member is at the predetermined
position, the first portion of the auxiliary member is adjacent to the first mounting
slot, and the second portion of the auxiliary member is adjacent to the second mounting
slot.
[0005] The first mounting slot preferably includes an entrance portion and a positioning
portion, wherein the entrance portion of the first mounting slot extends downward
from the top of the rail member and forms an entrance while the positioning portion
of the first mounting slot extends substantially perpendicularly from the bottom of
the entrance portion for a distance. The first portion of the auxiliary member preferably
further includes an extended section which extends to a position corresponding to
the positioning portion of the first mounting slot.
[0006] The second mounting slot preferably includes an entrance portion and a positioning
portion, wherein the entrance portion of the second mounting slot extends downward
from the top of the rail member and forms an entrance while the positioning portion
of the second mounting slot is located at the bottom of the entrance portion. The
second portion of the auxiliary member preferably further includes an extended section
which extends to a position corresponding to a position between the entrance portion
and the positioning portion of the second mounting slot.
[0007] Preferably, each of the rail member and the auxiliary member further includes a connecting
portion, and the resilient member is connected between the two connecting portions.
In addition, it is preferable that the auxiliary member further includes an elongated
aperture, and that the resilient member is located in the elongated aperture.
[0008] Preferably, the rail member further includes a contact portion, and the resilient
member is connected to the auxiliary member and pressed against the contact portion.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a rail mounting structure is
provided for use with an object including a first mounting member and a second mounting
member. The rail mounting structure includes a rail member, an auxiliary member, and
a resilient member. The rail member includes a first mounting slot and a second mounting
slot. The auxiliary member is movably mounted to the rail member and includes a first
portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is adjacent to the first mounting
slot and the second portion is adjacent to the second mounting slot. The resilient
member provides a resilient force acting on the auxiliary member. In the course in
which the first mounting member of the object is mounted to the first mounting slot
of the rail member, the first mounting member of the object pushes the first portion
of the auxiliary member and overcomes the resilient force of the resilient member
such that the auxiliary member is displaced to a position, allowing the second mounting
member of the object to be mounted to the second mounting slot of the rail member.
[0010] Preferably, the first mounting slot includes an entrance portion and a positioning
portion; the entrance portion of the first mounting slot extends downward from the
top of the rail member and forms an entrance; the positioning portion of the first
mounting slot extends substantially perpendicularly from the bottom of the entrance
portion for a distance; the first portion of the auxiliary member further includes
an extended section which is adjacent to one side of the positioning portion of the
first mounting slot; and the first mounting member further includes a head section
and a body section connected to the head section. In the course in which the body
section of the first mounting member is mounted to the positioning portion of the
first mounting slot, the head section of the first mounting member pushes the extended
section of the first portion of the auxiliary member and thereby displaces the auxiliary
member.
[0011] Preferably, the second mounting slot includes an entrance portion and a positioning
portion, the entrance portion of the second mounting slot extends downward from the
top of the rail member and forms an entrance, the positioning portion of the second
mounting slot is located at the bottom of the entrance portion, and the second portion
of the auxiliary member further includes an extended section which is adjacent to
a position between the entrance portion and the positioning portion of the second
mounting slot.
[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a rail mounting structure
includes a rail member, an auxiliary member, and a resilient member. The rail member
includes a first mounting slot including an entrance portion and a positioning portion,
wherein the entrance portion extends downward from a top of the rail member and forms
an entrance, and the positioning portion extends substantially perpendicularly from
a bottom of the entrance portion for a distance. The auxiliary member is movably mounted
to the rail member and includes a first portion adjacent to the first mounting slot.
The resilient member is configured to provide a resilient force acting on the auxiliary
member.
[0013] One of the advantageous features of applying the present invention is that the rail
mounting structure can be applied to objects of different length specifications.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0014] The structure as well as a preferred mode of use and the advantages of the present
invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description
of some illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rail mounting structure in the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rail mounting structure in the first
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the rail mounting structure in the first embodiment of the
present invention, showing in particular the structural arrangement of the rail member,
the auxiliary member, and the resilient member;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view in which the rail mounting structure in the first embodiment
of the present invention is applied to an object capable of being mounted to the rail
mounting structure;
FIG. 5A shows how the object in FIG. 4 is mounted to the rail mounting structure in
the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5B further shows how the object in FIG. 4 is mounted to the rail mounting structure
in the first embodiment of the present invention, or more particularly how the first
mounting member of the object enters the first mounting slot of the rail member;
FIG. 5C further shows how the object in FIG. 4 is mounted to the rail mounting structure
in the first embodiment of the present invention, or more particularly how the first
mounting member of the object is mounted to the positioning portion of the first mounting
slot and how the auxiliary member is pushed by the first mounting member and therefore
displaced to a different position;
FIG. 5D further shows how the object in FIG. 4 is mounted to the rail mounting structure
in the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the object has been mounted
to the rail member;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which the rail mounting structure in the first embodiment
of the present invention is applied to another object capable of being mounted to
the rail mounting structure;
FIG. 7A shows how the object in FIG. 6 is mounted to the rail mounting structure in
the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7B further shows how the object in FIG. 6 is mounted to the rail mounting structure
in the first embodiment of the present invention, or more particularly how a mounting
member of the object enters the second mounting slot of the rail member;
FIG. 7C further shows how the object in FIG. 6 is mounted to the rail mounting structure
in the first embodiment of the present invention, or more particularly how the aforesaid
mounting member of the object is mounted to the positioning portion of the second
mounting slot and blocked by the extended section of the second portion of the auxiliary
member;
FIG. 7D further shows how the object in FIG. 6 is mounted to the rail mounting structure
in the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the object has been mounted
to the rail member;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the rail mounting structure in the second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 9 is a side view of the rail mounting structure in the third embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 10 shows how the first mounting slot and the second mounting slot of the rail
mounting structure in the third embodiment of the present invention are mounted with
a first mounting member and a second mounting member respectively; and
FIG. 11 shows how the second mounting slot of the rail mounting structure in the third
embodiment of the present invention is mounted with a mounting member.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0015] Referring to FIG 1 and FIG. 2, the rail mounting structure 20 according to an embodiment
of the present invention includes a rail member 22, an auxiliary member 24, and a
resilient member 26.
[0016] The rail member 22 has a first end portion 28a and a second end portion 28b opposite
the first end portion 28a. The rail member 22 also includes a first mounting slot
30 and a second mounting slot 32, both of which are located between the first end
portion 28a and the second end portion 28b. In this embodiment, the rail member 22
further includes another mounting slot (e.g., a third mounting slot 34). The first
mounting slot 30 and the second mounting slot 32 are adjacent to the first end portion
28a of the rail member 22 while the third mounting slot 34 is adjacent to the second
end portion 28b of the rail member 22. Preferably, the second mounting slot 32 and
the third mounting slot 34 are of similar slot configurations different from that
of the first mounting slot 30. In practice, the locations of the mounting slots are
not limited to those disclosed herein, and each two adjacent mounting slots can be
spaced by a predetermined distance depending on practical needs.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG 3, the auxiliary member 24 is mounted to the rail member
22 and includes a first portion 36 and a second portion 38. The first portion 36 and
the second portion 38 have an extended section 40 and an extended section 42 respectively.
Preferably, the auxiliary member 24 further includes at least one guide groove 44
and an elongated aperture 46. In this embodiment, two guide grooves 44 are provided
by way of example for use with two connecting elements 48 respectively, and the elongated
aperture 46 is located between the two guide grooves 44. The auxiliary member 24 is
movably connected to the rail member 22 by the two connecting elements 48. More specifically,
each connecting element 48 has a body 50 and a head 52 connected to the body 50, wherein
the body 50 has a width W1 less than a width W2 of each guide groove 44 and the head
52 has a height H1 greater than a height H2 of each guide groove 44. With this arrangement,
the body 50 of each connecting element 48 can be passed through one of the guide grooves
44 and connected to the rail member 22, with the head 52 of the connecting element
48 blocked outside the guide groove 44, so that the auxiliary member 24 can be displaced
relative to the rail member 22 within the limited range defined by the guide grooves
44. The resilient member 26 serves to provide a resilient force acting on the auxiliary
member 24. Here, the resilient member 26 is mounted between the rail member 22 and
the auxiliary member 24. For example, each of the rail member 22 and the auxiliary
member 24 further includes a connecting portion 54, and the resilient member 26 is
connected between the two connecting portions 54 and located in the elongated aperture
46 of the auxiliary member 24. The structural arrangement described above allows the
auxiliary member 24 to be displaced relative to the rail member 22 in a stable manner.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary member 24 is kept at a predetermined position P1
relative to the rail member 22 by the resilient force of the resilient member 26.
While the auxiliary member 24 is at the predetermined position P1, the first portion
36 of the auxiliary member 24 is adjacent to the first mounting slot 30, and the second
portion 38 of the auxiliary member 24 is adjacent to the second mounting slot 32.
In a preferred embodiment, the extended section 40 of the first portion 36 of the
auxiliary member 24 extends in such a way that it covers the first mounting slot 30
partially, and the extended section 42 of the second portion 38 of the auxiliary member
24 extends in such a way that it covers the second mounting slot 32 partially.
[0019] The first mounting slot 30 preferably includes an entrance portion 56 and a positioning
portion 58. The entrance portion 56 extends downward from the top of the rail member
22 and forms an entrance. The positioning portion 58 extends substantially perpendicularly
from the bottom of the entrance portion 56 for a distance D. The entrance portion
56 and the positioning portion 58 jointly constitute a generally J-shaped groove.
More specifically, the extended section 40 of the first portion 36 of the auxiliary
member 24 extends to a part of the positioning portion 58 of the first mounting slot
30. The second mounting slot 32, on the other hand, includes an entrance portion 60
and a positioning portion 62. The entrance portion 60 also extends downward from the
top of the rail member 22 and forms an entrance. The positioning portion 62 is located
at the bottom of the entrance portion 60. The entrance portion 60 and the positioning
portion 62 jointly constitute a generally U-shaped groove. The extended section 42
of the second portion 38 of the auxiliary member 24 extends to a position between
the entrance portion 60 and the positioning portion 62 of the second mounting slot
32.
[0020] In FIG 4, the rail mounting structure 20 is applied to an object 64 such as the chassis
of a piece of electronic equipment, a drawer, or the like. The object 64 has a length
L1 and can be mounted to the rail member 22.
[0021] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show how the object 64 is mounted to the rail member 22 of the
rail mounting structure 20. When it is desired to mount the object 64 to the rail
member 22, the plural mounting members (e.g., a first mounting member 68, a second
mounting member 70, and a third mounting member 72) mounted on a sidewall 66 of the
object 64 are respectively aligned with the first mounting slot 30, the second mounting
slot 32, and the third mounting slot 34 of the rail member 22. For example, the assembly
process begins by putting the first mounting member 68 of the object 64 into the entrance
portion 56 of the first mounting slot 30. After that, referring to FIG 5C and FIG.
5D, the first mounting member 68 of the object 64 is moved from the entrance portion
56 to the positioning portion 58 of the first mounting slot 30, during which time
the first mounting member 68 pushes the first portion 36 of the auxiliary member 24
and overcomes the resilient force of the resilient member 26 such that the auxiliary
member 24 is displaced relative to the rail member 22 from the aforesaid predetermined
position P1 to a position P2. On the other hand, the object 64 is lowered, allowing
the second mounting member 70 of the object 64 to enter the entrance portion 60 of
the second mounting slot 32 of the rail member 22 and be mounted in the positioning
portion 62 of the second mounting slot 32. The third mounting member 72 is mounted
in the third mounting slot 34 in a similar manner. Thus, the object 64 is mounted
to the rail member 22. It is worth mentioning that, once the auxiliary member 24 is
displaced to the position P2, the extended section 40 of the first portion 36 of the
auxiliary member 24 is pressed against the first mounting member 68 by virtue of the
resilient force of the resilient member 26, and vertically upward displacement of
the first mounting member 68 is limited due to the shape of the first mounting slot
30. In practice, an engaging mechanism (not shown) can be provided between the third
mounting member 72 and the rail member 22 to ensure that the object 64 is mounted
securely. When it is desired to remove the object 64 from the rail member 22, the
engagement between the third mounting member 72 and the rail member 22 is released
first. Then, a lifting force is applied to a portion of the object 64 that is adjacent
to the third mounting member 72 to raise that portion of the object 64. Once the object
64 forms a proper inclination angle with the rail member 22, the first mounting member
68 and the second mounting member 70 of the object 64 can be removed from the first
mounting slot 30 and the second mounting slot 32 of the rail member 22 respectively,
allowing the entire object 64 to be detached from the rail member 22 with ease.
[0022] In FIG 6, the rail mounting structure 20 is applied to another object 200, which
has a length L2 different from the length L1 of the object 64 shown in FIG 4, and
which can be mounted to the rail member 22.
[0023] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show how the object 200 is mounted to the rail member 22 of the
rail mounting structure 20. When it is desired to mount the object 200 to the rail
member 22, one of the mounting members (e.g., the mounting member 202) on a sidewall
of the object 200 is aligned with the second mounting slot 32 of the rail member 22.
More specifically, the mounting member 202 of the object 200 is put into the entrance
portion 60 of the second mounting slot 32 and, as shown in FIG. 7C and FIG 7D, is
subsequently moved from the entrance portion 60 to the positioning portion 62 of the
second mounting slot 32 such that the mounting member 202 is pressed against the extended
section 42 of the second portion 38 of the auxiliary member 24. Afterward, by lowering
the object 200, another mounting member 204 of the object 200 is mounted in the third
mounting slot 34 of the rail member 22. Thanks to the resilient force of the resilient
member 26, the extended section 42 of the second portion 38 of the auxiliary member
24 is now pressed against the mounting member 202, and the object 200 is thus mounted
to the rail member 22. As with the first mounting slot 30 of the rail member 22 and
the first mounting member 68 in the previous case, the engagement between the mounting
member 202 of the object 200 and the extended section 42 of the second portion 38
of the auxiliary member 24 limits vertically upward displacement of the mounting member
202, thereby ensuring that the object 200 is mounted securely. Detachment of the object
200 can be carried out in a way similar to that of the object 64 and therefore is
not described repeatedly.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows the rail mounting structure 300 in another embodiment of the present
invention. This embodiment is different from the previous one substantially in that
the rail member 302 of the rail mounting structure 300 includes a contact portion
304, and that the resilient member 306 is connected to the auxiliary member 308 and
pressed against the contact portion 304. Thus, the auxiliary member 308 is displaceable
relative to the rail member 302 when pushed by an article (e.g., a mounting member
of an object to be mounted to the rail member 302).
[0025] FIG. 9 shows the rail mounting structure 400 in yet another embodiment of the present
invention. This embodiment is different from the embodiment in FIG. 3 substantially
in that the first portion 404 of the auxiliary member 402 includes an extended section
406 which is adjacent to, and on one side of, the positioning portion 410 of the first
mounting slot 408. On the other hand, the second portion 412 of the auxiliary member
402 includes an extended section 414 adjacent to a position between the entrance portion
418 and the positioning portion 420 of the second mounting slot 416. The auxiliary
member 402 is shown in FIG 9 as at a predetermined position P3.
[0026] Referring to FIG 10, the first mounting member 424 of the object mounted to the rail
member 430 of the rail mounting structure 400 includes a head section 426 and a body
section 428 connected to the head section 426. The head section 426 has a greater
diameter than the body section 428. The body section 428 can enter the first mounting
slot 408. In the course in which the body section 428 of the first mounting member
424 of the object is mounted to the positioning portion 410 of the first mounting
slot 408, the head section 426 of the first mounting member 424 pushes the extended
section 406 of the first portion 404 of the auxiliary member 402 such that the auxiliary
member 402 is displaced relative to the rail member 430 from the predetermined position
P3 to a position P4. The second mounting member 432 of the object, on the other hand,
is correspondingly mounted to the second mounting slot 416 of the rail member 430.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 11, when the rail mounting structure 400 is applied to another object,
one of the mounting members (e.g., the mounting member 434) of this object is correspondingly
mounted to the second mounting slot 416 of the rail member 430. More specifically,
the mounting member 434 includes a head section 436 and a body section 438 connected
to the head section 436. The head section 436 has a greater diameter than the body
section 438, and the body section 438 can enter the second mounting slot 416. Once
the body section 438 of the mounting member 434 of the object is mounted to the positioning
portion 420 of the second mounting slot 416, a portion of the head section 436 of
the mounting member 434 is blocked by the extended section 414 of the second portion
412 of the auxiliary member 402.
[0028] While the present invention has been disclosed through the foregoing preferred embodiments,
the embodiments are not intended to be restrictive of the present invention. The scope
of patent protection sought by the applicant is defined by the appended claims.
1. A rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400), comprising:
a rail member (22, 302, 430) comprising a first mounting slot (30, 408);
an auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) movably mounted to the rail member (22, 302, 430),
the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) comprising a first portion (36, 404) adjacent
to the first mounting slot (30, 408); and
a resilient member (26, 306) for providing a resilient force acting on the auxiliary
member (24, 308, 402).
2. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
mounting slot (30, 408) comprises an entrance portion (56) and a positioning portion
(58, 410), the entrance portion (56) extends downward from a top of the rail member
(22, 302, 430) and forms an entrance, and the positioning portion (58, 410) extends
substantially perpendicularly from a bottom of the entrance portion (56) for a distance
(D).
3. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail
member (22, 302, 430) further comprises a second mounting slot (32, 416), the auxiliary
member (24, 308, 402) further comprises a second portion (38, 412), and the resilient
force keeps the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) at a predetermined position (P1, P3)
relative to the rail member (22, 302, 430) where the first portion (36, 404) and the
second portion (38, 412) of the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) are adjacent to the
first mounting slot (30, 408) and the second mounting slot (32, 416) respectively.
4. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first
mounting slot (30, 408) comprises an entrance portion (56) and a positioning portion
(58, 410), the entrance portion (56) of the first mounting slot (30, 408) extends
downward from a top of the rail member (22, 302, 430) and forms an entrance, and the
positioning portion (58, 410) of the first mounting slot (30, 408) extends substantially
perpendicularly from a bottom of the entrance portion (56) for a distance (D).
5. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first
portion (36, 404) of the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) further comprises an extended
section (40, 406) extending to a position corresponding to the positioning portion
(58, 410) of the first mounting slot (30, 408).
6. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second
mounting slot (32, 416) comprises an entrance portion (60, 418) and a positioning
portion (62, 420), the entrance portion (60, 418) of the second mounting slot (32,
416) extends downward from a top of the rail member (22, 302, 430) and forms an entrance,
the positioning portion (62, 420) of the second mounting slot (32, 416) is located
at a bottom of the entrance portion (60, 418), and the second portion (38, 412) of
the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) further comprises an extended section (42, 414)
extending to a position corresponding to a position between the entrance portion (60,
418) and the positioning portion (62, 420) of the second mounting slot (32, 416).
7. The rail mounting structure (20, 400) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the rail
member (22, 430) and the auxiliary member (24, 402) further comprises a connecting
portion (54), and the resilient member (26) is connected between the two connecting
portions (54).
8. The rail mounting structure (20, 400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the auxiliary
member (24, 402) further comprises an elongated aperture (46), and the resilient member
(26) is located in the elongated aperture (46).
9. The rail mounting structure (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rail member (302)
further comprises a contact portion (304), and the resilient member (306) is connected
to the auxiliary member (308) and pressed against the contact portion (304).
10. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail
mounting structure (20, 300, 400) is applicable to an object (64) comprising a first
mounting member (68, 424) and a second mounting member (70, 432); the rail member
(22, 302, 430) further comprises a second mounting slot (32, 416), the auxiliary member
(24, 308, 402) further comprises a second portion (38, 412), and the first portion
(36, 404) and the second portion (38, 412) of the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402)
are adjacent to the first mounting slot (30, 408) and the second mounting slot (32,
416) respectively; and wherein while being mounted to the first mounting slot (30,
408) of the rail member (22, 302, 430), the first mounting member (68, 424) of the
object (64) pushes the first portion (36, 404) of the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402)
and overcomes the resilient force of the resilient member (26, 306) such that the
auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) is displaced to a position (P2, P4), allowing the
second mounting member (70, 432) of the object (64) to be mounted to the second mounting
slot (32, 416) of the rail member (22, 302, 430).
11. The rail mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first mounting
slot (408) comprises an entrance portion and a positioning portion (410); the entrance
portion of the first mounting slot (408) extends downward from a top of the rail member
(430) and forms an entrance; the positioning portion (410) of the first mounting slot
(408) extends substantially perpendicularly from a bottom of the entrance portion
for a distance; the first portion (404) of the auxiliary member (402) further comprises
an extended section (406) adjacent to one side of the positioning portion (410) of
the first mounting slot (408); and the first mounting member (424) further comprises
a head section (426) and a body section (428) connected to the head section (426)
such that, while the body section (428) of the first mounting member (424) is being
mounted to the positioning portion (410) of the first mounting slot (408), the head
section (426) of the first mounting member (424) pushes the extended section (406)
of the first portion (404) of the auxiliary member (402) and thereby displaces the
auxiliary member (402).
12. The rail mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second mounting
slot (416) comprises an entrance portion (418) and a positioning portion (420), the
entrance portion (418) of the second mounting slot (416) extends downward from a top
of the rail member (430) and forms an entrance, the positioning portion (420) of the
second mounting slot (416) is located at a bottom of the entrance portion (418), and
the second portion (412) of the auxiliary member (402) further comprises an extended
section (414) adjacent to a position between the entrance portion (418) and the positioning
portion (420) of the second mounting slot (416).
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.
1. A rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400), comprising:
a rail member (22, 302, 430) comprising a first mounting slot (30, 408);
an auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) movably mounted to the rail member (22, 302, 430),
the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) comprising a first portion (36, 404) adjacent
to the first mounting slot (30, 408); and
a resilient member (26, 306) for providing a resilient force acting on the auxiliary
member (24, 308, 402).
2. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
mounting slot (30, 408) comprises an entrance portion (56) and a positioning portion
(58, 410), the entrance portion (56) extends downward from a top of the rail member
(22, 302, 430) and forms an entrance, and the positioning portion (58, 410) extends
substantially perpendicularly from a bottom of the entrance portion (56) for a distance
(D).
3. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail
member (22, 302, 430) further comprises a second mounting slot (32, 416), the auxiliary
member (24, 308, 402) further comprises a second portion (38, 412), and the resilient
force keeps the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) at a predetermined position (P1, P3)
relative to the rail member (22, 302, 430) where the first portion (36, 404) and the
second portion (38, 412) of the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) are adjacent to the
first mounting slot (30, 408) and the second mounting slot (32, 416) respectively.
4. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first
mounting slot (30, 408) comprises an entrance portion (56) and a positioning portion
(58, 410), the entrance portion (56) of the first mounting slot (30, 408) extends
downward from a top of the rail member (22, 302, 430) and forms an entrance, and the
positioning portion (58, 410) of the first mounting slot (30, 408) extends substantially
perpendicularly from a bottom of the entrance portion (56) for a distance (D).
5. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first
portion (36, 404) of the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) further comprises an extended
section (40, 406) extending to a position corresponding to the positioning portion
(58, 410) of the first mounting slot (30, 408).
6. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second
mounting slot (32, 416) comprises an entrance portion (60, 418) and a positioning
portion (62, 420), the entrance portion (60, 418) of the second mounting slot (32,
416) extends downward from a top of the rail member (22, 302, 430) and forms an entrance,
the positioning portion (62, 420) of the second mounting slot (32, 416) is located
at a bottom of the entrance portion (60, 418), and the second portion (38, 412) of
the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) further comprises an extended section (42, 414)
extending to a position corresponding to a position between the entrance portion (60,
418) and the positioning portion (62, 420) of the second mounting slot (32, 416).
7. The rail mounting structure (20, 400) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the rail
member (22, 430) and the auxiliary member (24, 402) further comprises a connecting
portion (54), and the resilient member (26) is connected between the two connecting
portions (54).
8. The rail mounting structure (20, 400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the auxiliary
member (24, 402) further comprises an elongated aperture (46), and the resilient member
(26) is located in the elongated aperture (46).
9. The rail mounting structure (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rail member (302)
further comprises a contact portion (304), and the resilient member (306) is connected
to the auxiliary member (308) and pressed against the contact portion (304).
10. The rail mounting structure (20, 300, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail
mounting structure (20, 300, 400) is applicable to an object (64) comprising a first
mounting member (68, 424) and a second mounting member (70, 432); the rail member
(22, 302, 430) further comprises a second mounting slot (32, 416), the auxiliary member
(24, 308, 402) further comprises a second portion (38, 412), and the first portion
(36, 404) and the second portion (38, 412) of the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402)
are adjacent to the first mounting slot (30, 408) and the second mounting slot (32,
416) respectively; and wherein while being mounted to the first mounting slot (30,
408) of the rail member (22, 302, 430), the first mounting member (68, 424) of the
object (64) pushes the first portion (36, 404) of the auxiliary member (24, 308, 402)
and overcomes the resilient force of the resilient member (26, 306) such that the
auxiliary member (24, 308, 402) is displaced to a position (P2, P4), allowing the
second mounting member (70, 432) of the object (64) to be mounted to the second mounting
slot (32, 416) of the rail member (22, 302, 430).
11. The rail mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first mounting
slot (408) comprises an entrance portion and a positioning portion (410); the entrance
portion of the first mounting slot (408) extends downward from a top of the rail member
(430) and forms an entrance; the positioning portion (410) of the first mounting slot
(408) extends substantially perpendicularly from a bottom of the entrance portion
for a distance; the first portion (404) of the auxiliary member (402) further comprises
an extended section (406) adjacent to one side of the positioning portion (410) of
the first mounting slot (408); and the first mounting member (424) further comprises
a head section (426) and a body section (428) connected to the head section (426)
such that, while the body section (428) of the first mounting member (424) is being
mounted to the positioning portion (410) of the first mounting slot (408), the head
section (426) of the first mounting member (424) pushes the extended section (406)
of the first portion (404) of the auxiliary member (402) and thereby displaces the
auxiliary member (402).
12. The rail mounting structure (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second mounting
slot (416) comprises an entrance portion (418) and a positioning portion (420), the
entrance portion (418) of the second mounting slot (416) extends downward from a top
of the rail member (430) and forms an entrance, the positioning portion (420) of the
second mounting slot (416) is located at a bottom of the entrance portion (418), and
the second portion (412) of the auxiliary member (402) further comprises an extended
section (414) adjacent to a position between the entrance portion (418) and the positioning
portion (420) of the second mounting slot (416).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description