Buffering Device for the Slide Rail of a Drawer

Abstract

A slide rail assembly having a fixed slide rail with an open channel. A hook plate is mounted to the fixed slide rail. The hook plate has a locking groove. A base is attached to the fixed slide rail within the open channel. A buffer frame moves in the open channel between two positions. A toggle plate is mounted to the buffer frame. The toggle plate can rotate between a free and locked position. A locking pin extends from the toggle plate that engages the locking groove. The locking pin is free to move in the locking groove when the toggle plate is in its free position. The locking pin becomes locked in the locking groove when the toggle plate is in its locked position. A movable slide rail selectively moves within the open channel. The movable slide rail engages the toggle plate and moves the toggle plate between positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A slide rail assembly, comprising:
 a fixed slide rail having a length between a first end and a second end, wherein said fixed slide rail has a rear wall and side walls that define an open channel that extends said length;   a hook plate mounted to said rear wall of said fixed slide rail within said open channel, wherein said hook plate has a locking groove formed therein;
 a base affixed to said fixed slide rail within said open channel at said first end; 
   a buffer frame disposed in said open channel between said base and said second end, wherein said buffer frame can move in said open channel between a first position in abutment with said base and a second position over said hook plate;   a toggle plate mounted at a pivot connection to said buffer frame, wherein said toggle plate can rotate about said pivot connection between a free position and a locked position;   a locking pin that extends from said toggle plate, wherein said locking pin engages said locking groove on said hook plate when said buffer frame moves into said second position from said first position, and wherein said locking pin is free to move in said locking groove when said toggle plate is in said free position and becomes locked in said locking groove when said toggle plate is in said locked position;   a movable slide rail that selectively moves within said open channel of said fixed slide rail, wherein said movable slide rail engages said toggle plate and moves said toggle plate between said free position and said locked position as said movable slide rail moves toward said first end of said fixed slide rail and away from said first end of said fixed slide rail, respectively.   
     
     
         2 . The slide rail assembly of  claim 1 , further including a damping element that slows movement of said buffer frame toward said base in said open channel. 
     
     
         3 . The slide rail assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said damping element is a hydraulic cylinder that extends between said base and said buffer frame. 
     
     
         4 . The slide rail assembly of  claim 1  further including retraction elements that bias said buffer frame toward said base within said open channel. 
     
     
         5 . The slide rail assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said retraction elements are springs. 
     
     
         6 . A slide rail assembly, comprising:
 a fixed slide rail having an open channel that extends along a length;   a hook plate mounted to said fixed slide rail within said open channel, wherein a locking groove is formed in said hook plate;
 a base affixed to said fixed slide rail; 
   a buffer frame disposed in said open channel, wherein said buffer frame can move in said open channel;   a damping element connected between said base and said buffer frame that governs movement speed of said buffer frame relative to said base in said open channel;   a toggle plate mounted on said buffer frame, wherein said toggle plate can move between a free position and a locked position;   a locking pin that extends from said toggle plate, wherein said locking pin engages said locking groove on said hook plate, and wherein said locking pin is free to move in said locking groove when said toggle plate is in said free position and becomes locked in said locking groove when said toggle plate is in said locked position;   a movable slide rail that selectively moves within said open channel of said fixed slide rail, wherein said movable slide rail engages said toggle plate and moves said toggle plate between said free position and said locked position as said movable slide rail moves relative to said fixed slide rail.   
     
     
         7 . The slide rail assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said damping element only slows movement of said buffer frame toward said base in said open channel. 
     
     
         8 . The slide rail assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said damping element is a hydraulic cylinder that extends between said base and said buffer frame. 
     
     
         9 . The slide rail assembly of  claim 6  further including retraction elements that bias said buffer frame toward said base within said open channel. 
     
     
         10 . The slide rail assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said retraction elements are springs.