SLIDING POSITIONING MECHANISM

Abstract

A sliding positioning mechanism includes a guiding rod, a sliding seat, and an inner liner. A middle of the sliding seat includes a locking hole in which an elastic pin is disposed. The inner liner is slidably sleeved on the guiding rod in a linear manner. The inner liner includes a connecting plate and two covering edges. The connecting plate includes an opening. A pressing piece is connected to a rear end of the connecting plate, and the sliding seat is sleeved on an outer side of the connecting plate and outer sides of the two covering edges. The elastic pin is configured to pass through the opening to be disposed in the locking hole, the pressing piece is located above the locking hole, and one or two sides of the sliding seat comprise one or more pivoting portions.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a sliding positioning mechanism, particularly to a sliding positioning mechanism used in folding and unfolding of a tabletop and table legs.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Sliding positioning mechanisms are not uncommon in everyday items. For example, a foldable table comprises a tabletop and table legs supporting the tabletop. When the foldable table is not in use, the table legs can be folded. Therefore, a sliding positioning mechanism is installed between the table legs and the tabletop. The sliding positioning mechanism is configured to fix the table legs in place after the table legs are unfolded, allowing the table legs to securely support the tabletop while also enabling the table legs to be folded as needed. The sliding positioning mechanism typically comprises three essential components: a sliding sleeve, a guiding rod, and a connecting rod. The sliding sleeve is connected to the guiding rod, and the connecting rod is connected to the sliding sleeve, pulling the sleeve along the guiding rod during movement. Some guiding rods are fixed members, while others are pivoting members.

Current sliding positioning mechanisms often face the technical challenge of insufficiently smooth sliding between the sliding sleeve and the guiding rod. Additionally, after the sliding sleeve is buckled to the guiding rod, the connection can become too tight, making it difficult to release. When addressing these two technical problems, technicians tend to tackle them separately. Even if these issues are resolved, it often results in an increased number of components in the sliding positioning mechanism, which in turn adds complexity to the assembly process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure discloses a sliding positioning mechanism, which has a simple structure and is easy to assemble. The technical solutions adopted by the present disclosure to solve the technical problems are described.

A sliding positioning mechanism comprises a guiding rod, a sliding seat, and an inner liner. An elastic pin protruding upward is disposed on the guiding rod, and a middle of the sliding seat comprises a locking hole in which the elastic pin is configured to be disposed. The inner liner is slidably sleeved on the guiding rod in a linear manner, and the inner liner comprises a connecting plate and two covering edges symmetrically connected to a left side and a right side of the connecting plate. The connecting plate comprises an opening extending from a front end of the connecting plate to a middle of the connecting plate, and a pressing piece is connected to a rear end of the connecting plate. The sliding seat is sleeved on an outer side of the connecting plate and outer sides of the two covering edges, and the elastic pin is configured to pass through the opening to be disposed in the locking hole. The pressing piece is located above the locking hole, and one or two sides of the sliding seat comprise one or more pivoting portions.

The inner liner is disposed on the guiding rod, and the sliding seat is connected to the inner liner. The pressing piece is directly disposed on the inner liner, and the pressing piece can be pressed downward to disengage the elastic pin from the locking hole. During assembly, the inner liner only needs to be sleeved on the guiding rod, making the assembly very convenient. There is no need to add a separate operating element, which also eliminates the corresponding assembly steps, providing the advantage of a simpler structure.

In a preferred embodiment, the sliding seat comprises a base plate and two seat edges symmetrically connected to a left side and a right side of the base plate. The base plate is stacked on the connecting plate, and each of the two seat edges is buckled to a same-side of one of the two covering edges. By directly clipping the two seat edges onto the two covering edges, the sliding seat can be assembled onto the inner liner, resulting in a simple structure and easier assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, a front end and a rear end of each of the two covering edges comprises position-limiting protrusions to inhibit movement of the two seat edges in a front-to-back direction. The position-limiting protrusions prevent the sliding seat from moving relative to the inner liner, making a connection between the sliding seat and the inner liner more secure. During on-site assembly, the inner liner and sliding seat can first be assembled together and then buckled on the guiding rod.

In a preferred embodiment, a root portion extends upward from an end surface of the rear end of the connecting plate, and the pressing piece connected to the root portion. A rear end of the base plate abuts the root portion, and a bottom surface of the pressing piece comprises a protruding point corresponding to the elastic pin. The root portion abuts the base plate, and the position-limiting protrusions are buckled to a front side and a rear side of the base plate, so that a connection between the sliding seat and the inner liner is more precise and stability is improved. A protruding point corresponding to the elastic pin is disposed on the bottom surface of the pressing piece, which can push the elastic pin away from the bottom surface of the sliding seat, allowing the sliding positioning mechanism to slide more smoothly.

In a preferred embodiment, a cross-section of the guiding rod is trapezoidal, and a width of a lower side of the cross-section of the guiding rod is smaller than a width of an upper side of the cross-section of the guiding rod. Widths of the inner liner and the sliding seat corresponding to a shape of the cross-section of the guiding rod gradually decrease from top to bottom. The two covering edges abut sides of the guiding rod, and the two seat edges abut the two covering edges. The cross-section of the guiding rod is trapezoidal, allowing the inner liner to be directly buckled to the guiding rod. Similarly, the sliding seat can be directly buckled to the inner liner, making assembly very easy.

In a preferred embodiment, the guiding rod is a fixed member. Alternatively, the guiding rod may can be a pivoting member.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more pivoting portions are located in middles of the two seat edges, and each of the one or more pivoting portions comprises a pivoting hole. The pivoting hole on the one or more pivoting portions can be connected to a pulling rod, which is then connected to a table leg. This way, during folding and unfolding of the table leg, the pulling rod can drive the sliding seat and the inner liner to move.

In a preferred embodiment, a middle of a front end of the base plate comprises a conical guiding groove corresponding to the elastic pin.

In a preferred embodiment, a bottom of the inner liner is an open structure, allowing the inner liner to be assembled onto the guiding rod from top to bottom through the open structure of the bottom of the inner liner during assembly. During assembly, simply pressing down the inner liner and sliding seat from above allows for fast assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner liner is a plastic member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sliding positioning mechanism.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a circled area in FIG. 1, where parts shown in the circled area are in an exploded state.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an inner liner of the sliding positioning mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a sliding seat of the sliding positioning mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral cross-sectional view of the sliding positioning mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sliding positioning mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the sliding positioning mechanism shown in FIG. 1 being applied to a foldable table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is evident that the described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as exclusive of other embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that the terms “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation shown in the drawings. The positional relationship is only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the referenced device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed, and be operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the positional relationship should not be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

In the claims, specification, and accompanying drawings of the present disclosure, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms “fixedly connected” or “fixed connection” should be broadly interpreted. This means any connection method where there is no displacement or relative rotational movement between the two components. In other words, it includes non-removable fixed connections, removable fixed connections, integral connections, and fixed connections achieved through other devices or elements.

In the claims, specification, and the accompanying drawings of the present disclosure, terms such as “comprising”, “having”, and their variations are intended to mean “including but not limited to.”

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a sliding positioning mechanism comprises a guiding rod 10, a sliding seat 20, and an inner liner 30. An elastic pin 12 protruding upward is disposed on the guiding rod 10. A middle of the sliding seat 20 comprises a locking hole 22 into which the elastic pin 12 can be inserted. The inner liner 30 is slidably sleeved on the guiding rod 10 in a linear manner, and the sliding seat 20 is connected to the inner liner 30. The inner liner 30 comprises a connecting plate 32 and two covering edges 34 symmetrically connected to a left side and a right side of the connecting plate 32. The connecting plate 32 comprises an opening 322 extending from a front end of the connecting plate 32 to a middle of the connecting plate 32, and a pressing piece 36 that can be rotated is connected to a rear end of the connecting plate 32. The sliding seat 20 is sleeved on an outer side of the connecting plate 32 and the two covering edges 34. The elastic pin 12 can move upward through the opening 322 to be inserted into the locking hole 22, and the pressing piece 36 is located above the locking hole 22. One or two sides of the sliding seat 20 comprise one or more pivoting portions 24, and the one or more pivoting portions 24 can be connected to other components, such as a pulling rod.

The sliding seat 20 is connected to the inner liner 30, avoiding direct contact with the guiding rod 10. Additionally, the inner liner 30 is disposed with the pressing piece 36, allowing easy pressing of the elastic pin 12. The sliding positioning mechanism has fewer parts and a simple structure.

Preferably, the sliding seat 20 comprises a base plate 26 and two seat edges 28 symmetrically connected to a left side and a right side of the base plate 26. The base plate 26 is stacked on a top of the connecting plate 32, and each of the two seat edges 28 is buckled to a same-side of one of the two covering edges 34. This buckling connection between the two seat edges 28 and the two covering edges 34 enables the sliding seat 20 to be connected to the inner liner 30.

Preferably, a front end and a rear end of each of the two covering edges 34 comprises position-limiting protrusions 341 to inhibit movement of the two seat edges 28 in a front-to-back direction. This prevents the two seat edges 28 from moving linearly, so the two seat edges 28 can only move relative to the guiding rod 10 when driven by the inner liner 30.

Preferably, a root portion 324 extends upward from an end surface of the rear end of the connecting plate 32, and the pressing piece 36 connected to the root portion 324. A rear end of the base plate 26 abuts the root portion 324.

Preferably, a bottom surface of the pressing piece 36 comprises a protruding point 362 corresponding to the elastic pin 12.

Preferably, a cross-section of the guiding rod 10 is trapezoidal, and a width of a lower side of the cross-section of the guiding rod 10 is smaller than a width of an upper side of the cross-section of the guiding rod 10. Widths of the inner liner 30 and sliding seat 20 corresponding to a shape of the cross-section of the guiding rod 10 gradually decrease from top to bottom. The two covering edges 34 abut sides of the guiding rod 10, and the two seat edges 28 abut the two covering edges 34. As a result, the inner liner 30 can automatically latch onto the guiding rod 10 and will not be detached from the guiding rod 10 in an up-and-down direction. Similarly, the sliding seat 20 can automatically latch onto the inner liner 30, ensuring the sliding seat 20 will not be detached from the inner liner 30 in the up-and-down direction.

Preferably, the guiding rod 10 is a fixed member. For example, the guiding rod 10 can be installed on an underside of a tabletop, and the guiding rod 10 is fixed relative to the tabletop.

Preferably, the one or more pivoting portions 24 are located in middles of the two seat edges 28, and each of the one or more pivoting portions 24 comprises a pivoting hole.

Preferably, a middle of a front end of the base plate 26 comprises a conical guiding groove 262 corresponding to the elastic pin 12.

Preferably, a bottom of the inner liner 30 is an open structure, allowing the inner liner 30 to be assembled onto the guiding rod 10 from top to bottom through the open structure of the bottom of the inner liner 30 during assembly.

Preferably, the inner liner 30 is a plastic member.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the sliding positioning mechanism being applied on a foldable table. One end of a table leg A is pivotally connected to a tabletop B, and the guiding rod 10 is installed on the tabletop B. One end of a pulling rod C is connected to the table leg A, and a second end of the pulling rod C is connected to the one or more pivoting portions of the sliding seat 20. Therefore, when the table leg A is unfolded, the pulling rod C can pull the sliding seat 20 and the inner liner 30 to slide together along the guiding rod 10 until the elastic pin 12 is inserted into the locking hole 22. At this point, the table leg A is fully unfolded. Conversely, to fold the table leg A, the elastic pin 12 is pressed and the table leg A is rotated in an opposite direction to fold the table leg A.

The above description of the specification and embodiments is used to explain the scope of protection of the present disclosure, but does not constitute a limitation of the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, or other improvements to the embodiments of the present disclosure or some of the technical features thereof that can be obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation by combining common knowledge, ordinary technical knowledge in the art, and/or prior art through the revelation of the present disclosure or the embodiments described above shall be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure discloses a sliding positioning mechanism comprising a guiding rod, a sliding seat, and an inner liner. An elastic pin protruding upward is disposed on the guiding rod, and a middle of the sliding seat comprises a locking hole in which the elastic pin is configured to be disposed. The inner liner is slidably sleeved on the guiding rod in a linear manner, and the inner liner comprises a connecting plate and two covering edges symmetrically connected to a left side and a right side of the connecting plate. The connecting plate comprises an opening extending from a front end of the connecting plate to a middle of the connecting plate, and a pressing piece is connected to a rear end of the connecting plate. The sliding seat is sleeved on an outer side of the connecting plate and outer sides of the two covering edges, and the elastic pin is configured to pass through the opening to be disposed in the locking hole. The pressing piece is located above the locking hole, and one or two sides of the sliding seat comprise one or more pivoting portions. The inner liner is disposed on the guiding rod, and the sliding seat is connected to the inner liner. The pressing piece is directly disposed on the inner liner, and the pressing piece can be pressed downward to disengage the elastic pin from the locking hole. During assembly, the inner liner only needs to be sleeved on the guiding rod, making the assembly very convenient. There is no need to add a separate operating element, which also eliminates the corresponding assembly steps, providing the advantage of a simpler structure and providing industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A sliding positioning mechanism, comprising: a guiding rod,a sliding seat, andan inner liner, wherein: an elastic pin protruding upward is disposed on the guiding rod,a middle of the sliding seat comprises a locking hole in which the elastic pin is configured to be disposed,the inner liner is slidably sleeved on the guiding rod in a linear manner,the inner liner comprises a connecting plate and two covering edges symmetrically connected to a left side and a right side of the connecting plate,the connecting plate comprises an opening extending from a front end of the connecting plate to a middle of the connecting plate,a pressing piece is connected to a rear end of the connecting plate,the sliding seat is sleeved on an outer side of the connecting plate and outer sides of the two covering edges,the elastic pin is configured to pass through the opening to be disposed in the locking hole,the pressing piece is located above the locking hole, andone or two sides of the sliding seat comprise one or more pivoting portions.

2. The sliding positioning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: the sliding seat comprises a base plate and two seat edges symmetrically connected to a left side and a right side of the base plate,the base plate is stacked on the connecting plate, andeach of the two seat edges is buckled to a same-side of one of the two covering edges.

3. The sliding positioning mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: a front end and a rear end of each of the two covering edges comprises position-limiting protrusions to inhibit movement of the two seat edges in a front-to-back direction.

4. The sliding positioning mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: a root portion extends upward from an end surface of the rear end of the connecting plate,the pressing piece connected to the root portion,a rear end of the base plate abuts the root portion, anda bottom surface of the pressing piece comprises a protruding point corresponding to the elastic pin.

5. The sliding positioning mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: a cross-section of the guiding rod is trapezoidal,a width of a lower side of the cross-section of the guiding rod is smaller than a width of an upper side of the cross-section of the guiding rod,widths of the inner liner and the sliding seat corresponding to a shape of the cross-section of the guiding rod gradually decrease from top to bottom,the two covering edges abut sides of the guiding rod, andthe two seat edges abut the two covering edges.

6. The sliding positioning mechanism according to claim 5, wherein: the guiding rod is a fixed member, orthe guiding rod is a pivoting member.

7. The sliding positioning mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: the one or more pivoting portions are located in middles of the two seat edges, and each of the one or more pivoting portions comprises a pivoting hole.

8. The sliding positioning mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: a middle of a front end of the base plate comprises a conical guiding groove corresponding to the elastic pin.

9. The sliding positioning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: the inner liner is a plastic member, andone of: the connecting plate and the two covering edges are integrally formed, orthe connecting plate, the two covering edges, and the pressing piece are integrally formed.