US20080100190A1

US20080100190A1 - Auto-returning track device

Info

Publication number: US20080100190A1
Application number: US11/590,473
Authority: US
Inventors: Jui-Lien Yang; Li-Mei Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-01
Filing date: 2006-11-01
Publication date: 2008-05-01
Also published as: US8118378B2; US20110033140A1

Abstract

An auto-returning track device comprises a retaining track; a lower side of the retaining track having a protrusion; the retaining track having a sliding space enclosed by two stops at two ends and a retaining seat; a movable track received in the sliding space and slideable with respect to the retaining track; the movable track having a hook with respect to the retaining seat; a movable base received in the sliding space and between the movable track and the retaining seat; at least one returning element being installed between the movable base and the retaining seat; and a positioning buckle swingably pivoted with the movable base; an outer surface of the positioning buckle being formed with a positioning groove for hooking with a hook of the movable track; a hook portion extending from a lower surface of the movable track; the hook portion can be hooked to the protrusion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tracks, and particularly to an auto-returning track device, wherein the auto-returning track device has a long returning path.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A prior art track for drawers or keyboards is illustrated in FIG. 10. A rear end of an outer track 70 is installed with a closed T shape retaining seat 71. A buckle 72 is installed at a middle section of the retaining seat 72. Two lateral sides of the buckle 72 have respective combining blocks 73 which are slidable along the two sides of the retaining seat 71. A spring 73 is installed between one combining block 73 and the retaining seat 71. A top of the buckle 72 is installed with a positioning recess 721 for receiving a hook 751 of an inner track 75 received in the positioning recess 721. Thus, when the inner track is pulled, the buckle will slide in sliding groove of the retaining seat until it resists against an object. The buckle can incline downwards to engage a protrusion at a bottom surface of the sliding track. Meanwhile, when the inner track is pushed into the hook 751 to combine with the positioning recess of the buckle, the buckle will separate from the protrusion so that the inner track moves to a position distant with a predetermined distance to the distal end of the protrusion, it will hook the buckle so that the inner track returns toward the retaining seat.
Referring to FIG. 11, another prior art is illustrated. One end of an outer track 80 is sealed by a T shape retaining seat 81. A recess of the retaining seat 81 has a spring 82 and an elastic buckle 83 so that when the inner track 84 is pushed inwards, the protrusion 841 of the inner track 84 resists against the elastic buckle 83 and the positioning groove 831 of the elastic buckle 83. This is a conventional slide track without the function of returning effect automatically.
Referring to FIG. 12, another prior art is illustrated. One end of an outer track 90 is sealed by a T shape retaining seat 91. Two tracks 92 of the retaining seat 91 are installed with a hook 93 which is slideable. Two sides of a rear end of the hook 93 are installed with springs 94. A surface thereof is formed with a groove 931. When the inner track 95 moves outwards, the hook 93 is driven to move to the front ends of the two tracks 92 to buckle with the positioning unit 97. The inner track 95 will move continuously. One the contrary, when the inner track 95 is pushed inwards, the combining frame 96 at the front end thereof will combine with the groove 931 to drive the hook 93 to separate from the positioning unit 97 so as to drive the inner track 95 to return automatically.
In above mentioned prior arts illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, although the tracks have the effect of auto-returning, the buckles only move in the sliding grooves of predetermined length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an auto-returning track device, wherein the auto-returning track device has a long returning path.
To achieve above objects, the present invention provides an auto-returning track device comprising: a retaining track having an U shape cross section; a lower side of the retaining track having a protrusion; the retaining track having a sliding space enclosed by two stops at two ends and a retaining seat; a movable track received in the sliding space and slideable with respect to the retaining track; the movable track being a hook with respect to the retaining seat; and a movable base received in the sliding space and between the movable track and the retaining seat; the movable base being pivotally installed with a positioning buckle so as to be interacted with the movable track; an outer surface of the positioning buckle being formed with a positioning groove for hooking with a hook; a hook portion extending from a lower surface of the movable track; each of two lateral sides of the positioning buckle being extended with a guiding portion which is slideable along a lateral wall of the retaining track; between the guiding portion and the retaining seat having a returning element.
Furthermore, the present invention provides an auto-returning track device comprising: a retaining track having an U shape cross section; a lower side of the retaining track having a protrusion; the retaining track having a sliding space enclosed by two stops at two ends and a retaining seat; a movable track received in the sliding space and slideable with respect to the retaining track; the movable track having a hook with respect to the retaining seat; a movable base received in the sliding space and between the movable track and the retaining seat; at least one returning element being installed between the movable base and the retaining seat; and a positioning buckle swingably pivoted with the movable base; an outer surface of the positioning buckle being formed with a positioning groove for hooking with a hook of the movable track; a hook portion extending from a lower surface of the movable track; the hook portion can be hooked to the protrusion.
Moreover, the present invention provides an auto-returning track device comprising: a retaining track having an U shape cross section; a lower side of the retaining track having a protrusion; the retaining track having a sliding space enclosed by two stops at two ends and a retaining seat; a movable track received in the sliding space and slideable with respect to the retaining track; a bottom of the movable track protruded with a projection; and a movable base received in the sliding space and being positioned between the movable track and the retaining seat; between each of two rare lateral sides and the retaining seat having a respective elastic element; a lower center of the movable base being formed with a receiving groove; a telescopic block being installed in the receiving groove; between the two lateral sides of the telescopic block and wall of the receiving groove having two respective springs which are used as returning elements; a positioning element having a stop rod extended from a lower side thereof and a pivotal rod extended from an upper side thereof; the stop rod and the pivotal rod being at two opposite sides of the positioning element; one later side of the positioning element being formed with a recess; the positioning element being combined to the movable base by the pivotal rod being inserted into a through hole 108 of the movable base 100 so that the positioning element being rotatable with respect to the movable base.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the auto-returning track device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the auto-returning track device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plane schematic view about the auto-returning track device of the present invention.

FIG. 3A shows a schematic cross sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing the combination state of the structure in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a cross sectional view about the pulling effect of the inner track of 3B.

FIG. 3D is a cross sectional view showing that the inner track of FIG. 3C is pulled outwards to a predetermined position.

FIG. 4 is a plane schematic view of FIG. 3D.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the receiving state of the inner track of the auto-returning track device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the pulling state of the third embodiment of the auto-returning track device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows the auto-returning track device in first prior art.

FIG. 11 shows the auto-returning track device in second prior art.

FIG. 12 shows the auto-returning track device in third prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a description will be provided in the following in details. However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the auto-returning track device 1 of the present invention is illustrated. The present invention has the following elements.
A retaining track 10 has an U shape cross section. A lower side of the retaining track 10 has a protrusion 11. The retaining track 10 has a sliding space 13 enclosed by two stops (not shown) at two ends and a retaining seat 12.
A movable track is received in the sliding space 13 and is slideable with respect to the retaining track 10. The movable track 21 has a hook 24 with respect to the retaining seat 12.
A movable base 30 is received in the sliding space 13 and is between the movable track and the retaining seat 12. The movable base 30 is pivotally installed with a positioning buckle 40 so as to be interacted with the movable track; an outer surface of the positioning buckle 43 is formed with a positioning groove 45 for hooking with a hook 24. A hook portion 43 extends from a lower surface of the movable track. Each of two lateral sides of the positioning buckle 40 is extended with a guiding portion 42 which is slideable along a lateral wall of the retaining track 10. Between the guiding portion 42 and the retaining seat 12 has a returning element 60 a.
The movable track has a middle track 21 moveable with respect to the retaining track 10 and an inner track 75 movable with respect to the middle track 21. The hook 24 is fixed to a frame body of the inner track 75.
The movable base 30 is formed by two L shape guiding sheets 31 and an auxiliary sheet 32. The two guiding sheets 31 are slideable along the two lateral sides along two sides of the retaining track 10 and the auxiliary sheet 32 is connected between the two guiding sheets 31. Each guiding sheet 31 has an elliptical hole 311 and a notch 312. Two lateral sides of the positioning buckle 40 are formed with two axial rods 41 corresponding to the elliptical holes of the two guiding sheets 31. The two lateral sides of the positioning buckle 40 are formed with two guiding portions 42. Each guiding portion 42 is formed with a combining hole 421 for hooking a returning element 60 a.
The notch 312 is formed with a limiting sheet for resisting against the protrusion 11.
A buffer 33 is installed between the auxiliary sheet 32 and the retaining seat 12. The buffer 33 is an air pressure or a pneumatic cylinder or a damper.
An outer side of the positioning buckle 40 is formed with a positioning groove 45 by the confinement of two inclined guide blocks 44.
Referring to FIG. 5, the second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The embodiment of the present invention has the following elements.
A retaining track 10 has an U shape cross section. A lower side of the retaining track 10 has a protrusion 11. The retaining track 10 has a sliding space 13 enclosed by two stops (not shown) at two ends and a retaining seat 12.
A movable track is received in the sliding space 13 and is slideable with respect to the retaining track 10. The movable track 21 has a hook 24 with respect to the retaining seat 12.
A movable base 30 is received in the sliding space 13 and is between the movable track and the retaining seat 12. At least one returning element 60 a is installed between the movable base 30 and the retaining seat 12.
A positioning buckle 40 is swingably pivoted with the movable base 30; an outer surface of the positioning buckle 43 is formed with a positioning groove 45 for hooking with a hook 24 of the movable track. A hook portion 43 extends from a lower surface of the movable track. The hook portion 43 can be hooked to the protrusion 11.
The movable track has a middle track 21 moveable with respect to the retaining track 10 and an inner track 75 movable with respect to the middle track 21. The hook 24 is fixed to a frame body of the inner track 75.
The movable base 30 is formed by two L shape guiding sheets 31 and an auxiliary sheet 32. The two guiding sheets 31 are slideable along the two lateral sides along two sides of the retaining track 10 and the auxiliary sheet 32 is connected between the two guiding sheets 31. Each guiding sheet 31 has an elliptical hole 311 and a notch 312. Two lateral sides of the positioning buckle 40 are formed with two axial rods 41 corresponding to the elliptical holes of the two guiding sheets 31. The two lateral sides of the positioning buckle 40 are formed with two guiding portions 42. Each guiding portion 42 is formed with a combining hole 421 for hooking a returning element 60 a.
The notch 312 is formed with a limiting sheet for resisting against the protrusion 11.
A buffer 33 is installed between the auxiliary sheet 32 and the retaining seat 12. The buffer 33 is an air pressure or a pneumatic cylinder or a damper.
An outer side of the positioning buckle 40 is formed with a positioning groove 45 by the confinement of two inclined guide blocks 44.
The feature of this the present invention is that a rear end of each guiding sheet 31 is extended with a vertical sheet. A C shape combining hole B is formed from a lower side to a lateral side of the vertical sheet. One end of the returning element 60 a is received in the C shape combining hole B and another end of the returning element 60 a is connected to the movable base 30.
Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the auto-returning track device 1 of the present invention is illustrated. The present invention has the following elements.
A retaining track 10 has an U shape cross section. A lower side of the retaining track 10 has a protrusion 11. The retaining track 10 has a sliding space enclosed by two stops (not shown) at two ends and a retaining seat 12.
A movable track is received in the sliding space and is slideable with respect to the retaining track 10. A bottom of the movable track is protruded with a projection C.
A movable base 100 is received in the sliding space 13 and is between the movable track and the retaining seat 12. Between each of two rare lateral sides and the retaining seat 12 has a respective elastic element 110. A lower center of the movable base 100 is formed with a receiving groove 101. A telescopic block 102 is installed in the receiving groove 101. Between the two lateral sides of the telescopic block 102 and wall of the receiving groove 101 have two respective springs which are used as returning elements 103; a positioning element 104 has a stop rod 105 extended from a lower side thereof and a pivotal rod 106 extended from an upper side thereof. The stop rod 105 and the pivotal rod 106 are at two opposite sides of the positioning element 104. One later side of the positioning element 104 is formed with a recess 107. The positioning element 104 is combined to the movable base 100 by the pivotal rod 106 being inserted into a through hole 108 of the movable base 100 so that the positioning element 104 is rotatable with respect to the movable base 100. Thus the reduction and extension of the telescopic block 102.
With referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the operation of the present invention will be described herein. See FIG. 7, when the inner track 22 is buckled to the positioning element 104, the projection C at the bottom side of the inner track 22 falls into the recess 107. The stop rod 105 of the positioning element 104 resists against one lateral side of the telescopic block 102.
See FIG. 8, when the inner track 22 is pulled outwards, the projection C of the inner track 22 will move and then resist against a front end of the recess 107 to move the positioning element 104 and the movable base 100 outwards until the telescopic block 102 collides the protrusion 11 of the retaining track 10. Then the telescopic block 102 will reduce inwards. At this moment, the stop rod 105 resists against the lateral side of the protrusion 11. The reduction of the telescopic block 102 will cause that the positioning element 104 has a space to move forwards until a front surface of the movable base 100 resists against the protrusion 11. The stop rod 105 of the positioning element 104 pulled by the protrusion 11 of the inner track 22 will shift along a lateral side of the protrusion 11 to be at a front end of the protrusion 11 so that the movable base 100 and the protrusion 11 are positioned. Furthermore, the projection C will separate from the recess 107 so that the inner track 22 moves outwards continuously. On the contrary, when the inner track 22 pushes inwards until the projection C resists against a rear end of the recess 107, the stop rod 105 resisting against the protrusion 11 will separate. Then, by the resilient force of the returning element 105, the telescopic block 102 extends outwards again so as to separate from the stop rod 105 of the protrusion 11 to resist against a lateral side of the telescopic block 102. Then, when the positioning element 104 separates from the protrusion 11, due to the resilience of the elastic element 110, the movable base 100 will drive the inner track 22 and the movable base 100 restores toward the retaining seat 12. Thus, in the present invention, by the different forms of the combination of the movable base 100 and the positioning element, the track can be returned automatically by remotely driving.
Referring to FIG. 9, it is illustrated in another embodiment, the buffer 33 has one end firmly secured to the retaining seat 12 and another end thereof serves to assist the outward movement of the movable base 30. When the movable base 30 returns due to the resilient force of the returning element 60, the buffer provides a buffer effect to the movable base 30 to prevent the collision between the movable base 30 and the retaining seat 12. Furthermore, the buffer 33 disclosed in FIG. 9 also can be applied to the third embodiment of the present invention. All these are within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An auto-returning track device comprising:

a retaining track having an U shape cross section; a lower side of the retaining track having a protrusion; the retaining track having a sliding space enclosed by two stops at two ends and a retaining seat;.

a movable track received in the sliding space and slideable with respect to the retaining track; the movable track being a hook with respect to the retaining seat; and

a movable base received in the sliding space and between the movable track and the retaining seat; the movable base being pivotally installed with a positioning buckle so as to be interacted with the movable track; an outer surface of the positioning buckle being formed with a positioning groove for hooking with a hook; a hook portion extending from a lower surface of the movable track; each of two lateral sides of the positioning buckle being extended with a guiding portion which is slideable along a lateral wall of the retaining track; between the guiding portion and the retaining seat having a returning element.

2. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable track has a middle track moveable with respect to the retaining track and an inner track movable with respect to the middle track; the hook is fixed to a frame body of the inner track.

3. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable base is formed by two L shape guiding sheets and an auxiliary sheet; the two guiding sheets are slideable along the two lateral sides along two sides of the retaining track and the auxiliary sheet is connected between the two guiding sheets; each guiding sheet has an elliptical hole and a notch; two lateral sides of the positioning buckle are formed with two axial rods corresponding to the elliptical holes of the two guiding sheets; the two lateral sides of the positioning buckle are formed with two guiding portions; each guiding portion is formed with a combining hole for hooking a returning element.

4. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notch is formed with a limiting sheet for resisting against the protrusion.

5. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a buffer is installed between the auxiliary sheet and the retaining seat.

6. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buffer is an air pressure or a pneumatic cylinder.

7. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buffer is a damper.

8. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer side of the positioning buckle is formed with a positioning groove by the confinement of two inclined guide blocks.

9. An auto-returning track device comprising:

a retaining track having an U shape cross section; a lower side of the retaining track having a protrusion; the retaining track having a sliding space enclosed by two stops at two ends and a retaining seat;

a movable track received in the sliding space and slideable with respect to the retaining track; the movable track having a hook with respect to the retaining seat;

a movable base received in the sliding space and between the movable track and the retaining seat; at least one returning element being installed between the movable base and the retaining seat; and

a positioning buckle swingably pivoted with the movable base; an outer surface of the positioning buckle being formed with a positioning groove for hooking with a hook of the movable track; a hook portion extending from a lower surface of the movable track; the hook portion can be hooked to the protrusion.

10. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the movable track has a middle track moveable with respect to the retaining track and an inner track movable with respect to the middle track; the hook is fixed to a frame body of the inner track.

11. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the movable base is formed by two L shape guiding sheets and an auxiliary sheet; the two guiding sheets are slideable along the two lateral sides along two sides of the retaining track and the auxiliary sheet is connected between the two guiding sheets; each guiding sheet has an elliptical hole and a notch; two lateral sides of the positioning buckle are formed with two axial rods corresponding to the elliptical holes of the two guiding sheets; the two lateral sides of the positioning buckle are formed with two guiding portions; each guiding portion is formed with a combining hole for hooking a returning element.

12. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the notch is formed with a limiting sheet for resisting against the protrusion.

13. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a buffer is installed between the auxiliary sheet and the retaining seat.

14. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the buffer is an air pressure or a pneumatic cylinder.

15. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the buffer is a damper.

16. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a rear end of each guiding sheet is extended with a vertical sheet; a C shape combining hole is formed from a lower side to a lateral side of the vertical sheet; one end of the returning element is received in the C shape combining hole and another end of the returning element is connected to the movable base.

17. An auto-returning track device comprising:

a movable track received in the sliding space and slideable with respect to the retaining track; a bottom of the movable track protruded with a projection;

a movable base received in the sliding space and being positioned between the movable track and the retaining seat; between each of two rare lateral sides and the retaining seat having a respective elastic element; a lower center of the movable base being formed with a receiving groove; a telescopic block being installed in the receiving groove; between the two lateral sides of the telescopic block and wall of the receiving groove having two respective springs which are used as returning elements; a positioning element having a stop rod extended from a lower side thereof and a pivotal rod extended from an upper side thereof; the stop rod and the pivotal rod being at two opposite sides of the positioning element; one later side of the positioning element being formed with a recess; the positioning element being combined to the movable base by the pivotal rod being inserted into a through hole of the movable base 100 so that the positioning element being rotatable with respect to the movable base.

18. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 17, wherein 2. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable track has a middle track moveable with respect to the retaining track and an inner track movable with respect to the middle track; the hook is fixed to a frame body of the inner track.

19. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 17, wherein a buffer is installed between the auxiliary sheet and the retaining seat, and the buffer is selected from an air pressure or a pneumatic cylinder.

20. The auto-returning track device as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of two ends of a rear side of the telescopic block is connected with one end of a returning element and another end of the returning element is connected to a lower end of the receiving groove.