U.S. patent application number 11/117679 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for telescoping slide assembly.
Invention is credited to Dubon, William, Stephens, Ronan.
Application Number | 20050206284 11/117679 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23334885 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050206284 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dubon, William ; et
al. |
September 22, 2005 |
Telescoping slide assembly
Abstract
A telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected mounting,
intermediate and stationary slide elements movable relative to one
another to extend and retract the mounting and intermediate slide
elements relative to the stationary slide element between fully
extended and retracted positions. The intermediate slide element
includes a rib formed therein. A mounting slide lock is disposed
substantially within the rib for operative engagement with the
mounting slide element to secure the mounting slide element in a
fully extended position such that selective release of the mounting
slide lock permits the mounting slide element to move to the fully
retracted position and to disconnect from the intermediate slide
element.
Inventors: |
Dubon, William;
(Bloomingdale, IL) ; Stephens, Ronan; (Berwyn,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael J. Turgeon
Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, P.C.
222 North LaSalle Street
Chicago
IL
60601
US
|
Family ID: |
23334885 |
Appl. No.: |
11/117679 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11117679 |
Apr 28, 2005 |
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10318850 |
Dec 12, 2002 |
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60340774 |
Dec 12, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/1421 20130101;
H05K 7/1489 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/333 |
International
Class: |
A47B 088/00; A47B
095/00 |
Claims
1. A telescoping slide assembly comprising: interconnected
mounting, intermediate and stationary slide elements movable
relative to one another to extend and retract the mounting and
intermediate slide elements relative to the stationary slide
element between fully extended and retracted positions; the
intermediate slide element including a base, a top guide portion, a
bottom guide portion, and a rib formed in the base; and a mounting
slide lock disposed substantially within the rib for operative
engagement with the mounting slide element to secure the mounting
slide element in a fully extended position such that selective
release of the mounting slide lock permits the mounting slide
element to move to the fully retracted position and to disconnect
from the intermediate slide element, wherein the mounting slide
element includes at least one slot formed therein adapted to engage
a mounting post connected to a piece of equipment to be carried by
the mounting slide element.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein
each at least one slot includes an opening oriented toward an outer
end of the mounting slide element.
5-6. (canceled)
7. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein
each at least one slot includes a protrusion which defines a
tortured path for preventing unintended removal of the mounting
post.
8-13. (canceled)
14. A telescoping slide assembly comprising: interconnected
mounting, intermediate and stationary slide elements movable
relative to one another to extend and retract the mounting and
intermediate slide elements relative to the stationary slide
element between fully extended and retracted positions; the
intermediate slide element including a rib formed therein; the rib
having a discontinuous segment defining an opening through the
intermediate slide element; a mounting slide lock disposed on the
mounting slide element for operative engagement with the opening on
the intermediate slide element to orient the mounting slide element
in a fully extended position such that release of the mounting
slide lock permits movement of the mounting slide element to the
retracted position and to disconnect the mounting slide element
from the intermediate slide element wherein the mounting slide
element includes at least one slot formed therein adapted to engage
a mounting post connected to a piece of equipment to be carries by
the mounting slide element.
15-16. (canceled)
17. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein
each at least one slot includes an opening oriented toward an outer
end of the mounting slide element.
18-19. (canceled)
20. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein
each at least one slot includes a protrusion which defines a
tortured path for preventing unintended removal of the mounting
post.
21. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein
an intermediate retraction stop is disposed on the stationary slide
element.
22. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 21 wherein
the intermediate retraction stop includes an arm and a drop stop
where the arm is movable between a first operative position where
the arm is oriented to be received and disposed within the rib when
the intermediate slide element is disposed in a position other than
the fully extended position and a second operative position where a
tab formed on the arm contacts the drop stop so that a first end of
the arm is disposed to engage an inner end of the intermediate
slide element preventing retraction of the intermediate slide
element until the arm is moved to the first operative position.
23. (canceled)
24. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein
the mounting slide lock includes a latch arm having a first end
connected to the mounting slide element and a free end extending
away from the mounting slide element in the direction of the
intermediate slide element; the latch arm further including a
projection formed adjacent the free end for operative engagement
with the opening.
25. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claimed 24, wherein
the projection is configured as a channel having a bottom generally
parallel to and offset from the latch arm and a pair of side walls
connecting the bottom to the latch arm.
26. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 24, wherein
the free end of the latch arm is movable from a first operative
position where the projection contacts the intermediate slide
element during movement of the mounting slide element relative to
the intermediate slide element and a second operative position
where the projection extends into the opening such that the
mounting and intermediate slides are locked together.
27. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 26, wherein
moving the latch arm from the second operative position to the
first operative position releases the mounting slide lock such that
the mounting slide element may be moved relative to the
intermediate slide element.
28. A telescoping slide assembly comprising: interconnected
mounting, intermediate and stationary slide elements movable
relative to one another to extend and retract the mounting and
intermediate slide elements relative to the stationary slide
element between fully extended and retracted positions; the
intermediate slide element including a rib formed therein having a
top wall; and a mounting slide extension stop disposed
substantially within the rib and extending through the top wall for
operative engagement with the mounting slide element to orient the
mounting slide element in a fully extended position such that
release of the mounting slide extension stop permits disconnection
of the mounting slide element from the intermediate slide
element.
29. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 28, wherein
the mounting slide element includes at least one slot formed
therein adapted to engage a mounting post connected to a piece of
equipment to be carried by the mounting slide element.
30. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 29, wherein
each at least one slot includes an opening oriented towards a top
of the mounting slide element.
31. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 29, wherein
each at least one slot includes an opening oriented toward an outer
end of the mounting slide element.
32. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 29, wherein
the mounting slide element includes at least one latch connected
thereto for movement between a first operative position where the
latch blocks removal of the mounting post from the slot after
insertion and a second operative position where the latch permits
insertion and removal of the mounting post with respect to the
slot.
33. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 32, wherein
the latch is normally biased to the first operative position.
34. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 29, wherein
each at least one slot includes a protrusion which defines a
tortured path for preventing unintended removal of the mounting
post.
35. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 28, wherein
an intermediate retraction stop is disposed on the stationary slide
element.
36-37. (canceled)
38. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 28, wherein
the mounting slide extension stop includes a latch arm movably
connected to the rib; the latch arm includes a ramp portion, a stop
portion and a lift portion, where the ramp portion and lift portion
each move the latch arm to enable movement of the mounting slide
element relative to the intermediate slide element.
39-40. (canceled)
41. A telescoping slide assembly comprising: interconnected
mounting, intermediate and stationary slide elements movable
relative to one another to extend and retract the mounting and
intermediate slide elements relative to the stationary slide
element between fully extended and retracted positions; the
intermediate slide element including a rib formed therein; and
wherein the intermediate slide element has an outer end face
obliquely disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the slide
assembly.
42. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 41 wherein
the mounting slide element includes at least one slot formed
therein adapted to engage a mounting post connected to a piece of
equipment to be carried by the mounting slide element.
43. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 42, wherein
each at least one slot includes an opening oriented towards a top
of the mounting slide element.
44. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 42, wherein
each at least one slot includes an opening oriented toward an outer
end of the mounting slide element.
45. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 42, wherein
the mounting slide element includes at least one latch connected
thereto for movement between a first operative position where the
latch blocks removal of the mounting post from the slot after
insertion and a second operative position where the latch permits
insertion and removal of the mounting post with respect to the
slot.
46. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 45 wherein
the latch is normally biased to the first operative position.
47. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 41, wherein
each at least one slot includes a protrusion which defines a
tortured path for preventing unintended removal of the mounting
post.
48. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 41, wherein
an intermediate retraction stop is disposed on the stationary slide
element.
49. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 48, wherein
the intermediate retraction stop includes an arm and a drop stop
where the arm is movable between a first operative position where
the arm is oriented to be received and disposed within the rib when
the intermediate slide element is disposed in a position other than
the fully extended position and a second operative position where a
tab formed on the arm contacts the drop stop so that a first end of
the arm is disposed to engage an inner end of the intermediate
slide element preventing retraction of the intermediate slide
element until the arm is moved to the first operative position.
50. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 48, wherein
an intermediate retraction stop release is disposed on the mounting
slide element for contact with an arm of the intermediate
retraction stop when the mounting slide element is disposed in the
fully retracted position such that the intermediate retraction stop
release moves the arm to a first operative position so that the arm
is oriented to be received and disposed within the rib in order to
enable retraction of the intermediate slide element from a second
operative position preventing retraction of the intermediate slide
element.
51. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 41, wherein a
mounting slide lock is disposed substantially within the rib for
operative engagement with the mounting slide element to secure the
mounting slide element in a fully extended position such that
selective release of the mounting slide lock permits the mounting
slide element to move to the fully retracted position and to
disconnect from the intermediate slide element.
52. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 41, wherein
the rib has a discontinuous segment defining an opening through the
intermediate slide element and a mounting slide lock is disposed on
the mounting slide element for operative engagement with the
opening on the intermediate slide element to orient the mounting
slide element in a fully extended position such that release of the
mounting slide lock permits movement of the mounting slide element
to the retracted position and to disconnect the mounting slide
element from the intermediate slide element.
53. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 41, wherein a
mounting slide extension stop is disposed within the rib for
operative engagement with the mounting slide element to orient the
mounting slide element in a fully extended position such that
release of the mounting slide extension stop permits disconnection
of the mounting slide element from the intermediate slide
element.
54. A telescoping slide assembly comprising: interconnected
mounting, intermediate and stationary slide elements movable
relative to one another to extend and retract the mounting and
intermediate slide elements relative to the stationary slide
element between fully extended and retracted positions; the
stationary slide element configured substantially C-shaped
including a base and offset end walls defining opposed channels;
the intermediate slide element including opposed guide portions
connected by a back having a rib formed therein; the opposed guide
portions configured for nesting relation within the opposed
channels and the rib including a top wall and bottom wall
interconnected by a support wall, the rib walls configured such
that an open side is disposed adjacent the stationary slide
element; and the mounting slide element including a spine and
opposed flanges extending from the spine collinearly aligned and
offset parallel to the base, wherein the opposed flanges are
configured for nesting relation within the opposed guide portions
wherein the mounting slide element at least one slot formed therein
adapted to engage a mounting post connected to a piece of equipment
to be carried by the mounting slide element.
55-56. (canceled)
57. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 54, wherein
each at least one slot includes an opening oriented toward an outer
end of the mounting slide element.
58-59. (canceled)
60. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 54, wherein
each at least one slot includes a protrusion which defines a
tortured path for preventing unintended removal of the mounting
post.
61. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 54, wherein
an intermediate retraction stop is disposed on the stationary slide
element.
62. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 61, wherein
the intermediate retraction stop includes an arm and a drop stop
such that the arm is movable between a first operative position
where the arm is oriented to be received and disposed within the
rib when the intermediate slide element is disposed in a position
other than the fully extended position and a second operative
position where a tab formed on the arm contacts the drop stop so
that a first end of the arm is disposed to engage an inner end of
the intermediate slide element preventing retraction of the
intermediate slide element until the arm is moved to the first
operative position.
63. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 61, wherein
an intermediate retraction stop release is disposed on the mounting
slide element for contact with an arm of the intermediate
retraction stop when the mounting slide element is disposed in the
fully retracted position such that the intermediate retraction stop
release moves the arm to a first operative position so that the arm
is oriented to be received and disposed within the rib in order to
enable retraction of the intermediate slide element from a second
operative position preventing retraction of the intermediate slide
element.
64. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 54, wherein a
mounting slide lock is disposed substantially within the rib for
operative engagement with the mounting slide element to secure the
mounting slide element in a fully extended position such that
selective release of the mounting slide lock permits the mounting
slide element to move to the fully retracted position and to
disconnect from the intermediate slide element.
65. The telescopic slide assembly as recited in claim 54, wherein
the rib has a discontinuous segment defining an opening through the
intermediate slide element and a mounting slide lock is disposed on
the mounting slide element for operative engagement with the
opening on the intermediate slide element to orient the mounting
slide element in a fully extended position such that release of the
mounting slide lock permits movement of the mounting slide element
to the retracted position and to disconnect the mounting slide
element from the intermediate slide element.
66. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/340,774,
filed Dec. 12, 2001, which is expressly incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to telescoping slide
assemblies, and particularly to a slide assembly system having at
least two telescoping slide members. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a pair of spaced-apart telescoping slide
assemblies which are adapted to be releasably coupled to a piece of
equipment, known as a chassis, which is positioned to lie
therebetween.
[0003] Installation of a piece of electronic, console equipment or
other hardware unit on a telescoping slide assembly mounted in an
enclosure or hardware cabinet is accomplished using various
installation tools and perhaps two or more technicians. Other types
of equipment are also mounted on telescoping slide assemblies using
various connectors and tools.
[0004] A chassis (such as a server) usually includes three mounting
posts coupled to a left side wall of the chassis and three or more
mounting posts coupled to a right side wall of the chassis. Each
mounting post includes an anchor coupled to the chassis side wall
and a throat sized to move through the slot to reach the installed
position.
[0005] A pair of telescoping slide assemblies are mounted in a
computer hardware cabinet and positioned to lie in side-by-side
spaced-apart parallel relation so that the chassis will lie between
the mounting slide element in each of the two telescoping slide
assemblies. The three mounting posts on the left side wall of the
chassis can be moved into three complementary slots formed in the
mounting slide element of the left-side telescoping slide member
while simultaneously the three mounting posts on the right side
wall of the chassis are being moved into three complementary slots
formed in the mounting slide element of the right-side telescoping
slide assembly.
[0006] There are numerous prior art slide rail designs for mounting
telecommunications equipment. A major disadvantage of these prior
slide rail assemblies is that they have been designed through a
trial and error process rather than focus on engineering
principles. The prior art designs fail to minimize friction,
balance momentum and minimize pull tension. Several different
methods have been attempted to overcome the friction of the early
prior art design, namely, ball bearings and specialized coatings.
Unfortunately, the ball bearing design actually increases the
friction between the rails. The coated rails also fail to overcome
the high friction design. This is especially apparent after the
coatings begin to wear and allow for metal-on-metal contact.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved slide rail
assembly that minimizes friction between the sliding rails,
balances momentum and minimizes pull tension and which also
includes improved locking and insertion designs.
[0008] Features of the present invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments exemplifying the best
mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective assembly view showing a piece of
equipment, outfitted with six mounting posts and showing three
post-receiving slots formed in the mounting slide elements of two
three-part telescoping slide assemblies and also showing a latch
adapted to be mounted on a mounting slide element adjacent to one
of the post-receiving slots and a mounting slide lock to orient the
mounting slide element in a fully extended position;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chassis (e.g., a server)
shown in FIG. 1 before the chassis is mounted onto two fully
extended telescoping slide assemblies fixed in a cabinet;
[0012] FIG. 3A is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the
chassis mounted on a telescoping slide assemblies as the chassis is
pushed inwardly (in the direction of the arrow) into a retracted
position for storage within the cabinet;
[0013] FIG. 3B is a section view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A
showing the position of one of the mounting posts connected to the
chassis and received one of the post-receiving slots formed in the
mounting slide element of the three-part telescoping slide
assembly;
[0014] FIGS. 4A, 5 and 6 show movement of the chassis on the
telescoping slide assemblies (from a fully extended position shown
in FIG. 4A) toward a retracted position in the cabinet wherein FIG.
5 shows movement of the mounting slide element into the
intermediate slide element where the intermediate retraction stop
has been moved to a first operative position disposed within the
rib; and FIG. 6 shows movement of the mounting and intermediate
slide elements (together as a unit) into the stationary slide
element fixed to a rack mounted inside the cabinet;
[0015] FIG. 4B is a section view taken along line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A
illustrating the travel tab disposed within the capture zone;
[0016] FIG. 4C is a detailed view of area 4C of FIG. 4A showing an
intermediate slide retraction stop of the three-part telescoping
slide assembly;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a partial front elevation view of the chassis
shown in FIG. 2 as it is being lowered into place between the two
mounting slide elements of the telescoping slide assemblies;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view taken along lines 8-8 of
FIG. 7 showing one of the telescoping slide assemblies in a fully
extended position;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view showing the components
of the telescoping slide assembly shown in FIG. 8 prior to
assembly;
[0020] FIG. 10A is a perspective exploded view showing components
in the spring-biased, post-locking latch prior to mounting those
components onto the wall of the mounting slide element in close
proximity to one of the post-receiving slots;
[0021] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the portion of mounting
slide element of FIG. 10A (taken from the opposite side--see FIG.
9) showing a spine that includes the post-receiving slot having a
wide inlet opening sized to receive the enlarged head of the
mounting post, and opposed flanges extending from the spine;
[0022] FIGS. 11-13 show a sequence in which the mounting posts are
lowered and locked into the slots formed in one of the mounting
slide elements;
[0023] FIG. 11 is an enlarged elevation view taken generally along
line 11-11 of FIG. 7 showing the chassis being lowered into
position where the mounting posts to be connected to the chassis
are above openings into the three post-receiving slots in the
mounting slide element;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing movement of the
mounting posts to the bottom of the post-receiving slots and
movement of one of the mounting posts on a curved contact surface
included in the post-locking latch mounted adjacent to one of the
post-receiving slots to move the latch along an axis to stretch a
spring to allow that mounting post to be moved (as shown in FIG.
13) downwardly into a bottom of the post-receiving slot;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIGS. 11 and 12 showing return
of the post-locking latch (under a return force applied by the
spring acting against the mounting slide element) to a normal
slot-closing position to block removal of the mounting post from
the post-receiving slot so that the chassis is locked in a fixed
position in the mounting slide element (yet releasable therefrom as
shown, for example, in FIG. 14);
[0026] FIG. 14 shows movement of one of the post-locking latches to
a slot-opening position to permit removal of the chassis from a
mounted position on the mounting slide element of the telescoping
slide assembly;
[0027] FIG. 15A is a partial view of the three-part telescoping
slide assembly illustrating an alternative embodiment of the
mounting slide lock;
[0028] FIG. 15B is a partial front elevation view of the
telescoping slide assembly of FIG. 15A, illustrating the latch arm
of the mounting slide lock engaging an opening in the intermediate
slide element;
[0029] FIG. 15C is a section view of the telescoping slide assembly
taken along line 15C-15C of FIG. 15B;
[0030] FIG. 15D is a section view of the telescoping slide assembly
taken along line 15D-15D of FIG. 15B;
[0031] FIG. 16A is a partial exploded perspective view of the
three-part telescoping slide assembly illustrating an alternative
embodiment of the intermediate retraction stop of the intermediate
slide lock;
[0032] FIG. 16B is a partial front elevation view of the
telescoping slide assembly of FIG. 16A illustrating an arm and drop
stop of the intermediate retraction stop;
[0033] FIG. 16C is a sectional view of the telescoping slide
assembly taken long line 16C-16C of FIG. 16B;
[0034] FIGS. 17A-D are perspective and front elevation views of
alternative embodiments of the post-locking latch illustrated in
connection with the post-receiving slot of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0035] FIGS. 18A-E partial detail are perspective views of
alternative embodiments of post-receiving slots formed in the
mounting slide element having openings oriented to the top of the
mounting slide element;
[0036] FIGS. 19A-C are perspective views of further alternative
embodiments of post-receiving slots formed in the mounting slide
element having an opening disposed in line with the longitudinal
axis of the telescoping slide assembly;
[0037] FIGS. 20A-C are perspective and front elevation views of the
post-receiving slots of FIGS. 19A-C illustrated in connection with
post-locking latches;
[0038] FIG. 21 is an exploded partially broken away perspective
view of an alternative embodiment of the three-part telescoping
slide assembly illustrating an outer end face of the intermediate
slide element obliquely disposed with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the telescoping slide assembly;
[0039] FIG. 22 is a detailed view of the telescoping slide assembly
of FIG. 21 illustrating movement of the mounting slide element
travel tab with respect to the mounting slide extension stop;
and
[0040] FIG. 23 is a section view of the telescoping slide assembly
of FIG. 21 when assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] In one principal aspect of the present invention, a
telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected mounting,
intermediate and stationary slide elements movable relative to one
another to extend and retract the mounting and intermediate slide
elements relative to the stationary slide element between fully
extended and retracted positions.
[0042] The intermediate slide element includes a rib formed
therein. A mounting slide lock is disposed substantially within the
rib for operative engagement with the mounting slide element to
secure the mounting slide element in a fully extended position such
that selective release of the mounting slide lock permits the
mounting slide element to move to the fully retracted position and
to disconnect from the intermediate slide element.
[0043] In another principal aspect of the present invention, a
telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected mounting,
intermediate and stationary slide elements movable relative to one
another to extend and retract the mounting and intermediate slide
elements relative to the stationary slide element between fully
extended and retracted positions.
[0044] The intermediate slide element includes a rib formed
therein. The rib has a discontinuous segment defining an opening
through the intermediate slide element. A mounting slide lock is
disposed on the mounting slide element for operative engagement
with the opening on the intermediate slide element in order to
orient the mounting slide element in a fully extended position such
that selective release of the mounting slide lock permits movement
of the mounting slide element to move to the retracted position and
to disconnect the mounting slide element from the intermediate
slide element.
[0045] In yet another principal aspect of the present invention, a
telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected mounting,
intermediate and stationary slide elements movable relative to one
another to extend and retract the mounting and intermediate slide
elements relative to the stationary slide element between fully
extended and retracted positions.
[0046] The intermediate slide element includes a rib formed
therein. A mounting slide extension stop is disposed substantially
within the rib for operative engagement with the mounting slide
element to orient the mounting slide element in a fully extended
position such that release of the mounting slide extension stop
permits disconnection of the mounting slide element from the
intermediate slide element.
[0047] In still another principal aspect of the present invention,
a telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected mounting,
intermediate and stationary slide elements movable relative to one
another to extend and retract the mounting and intermediate slide
elements relative to the stationary slide element between fully
extended and retracted positions.
[0048] The intermediate slide element includes a rib formed
therein. The intermediate slide element also has an outer end face
obliquely disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the slide
assembly.
[0049] In a still further principal aspect of the present
invention, a telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected
mounting, intermediate and stationary slide elements movable
relative to one another to extend and retract the mounting and
intermediate slide elements relative to the stationary slide
element between fully extended and retracted positions. The
stationary slide element is configured substantially C-shaped
including a base and offset end walls defining opposed
channels.
[0050] The intermediate slide element includes opposed guide
portions connected by a back having a rib formed therein. The
opposed guide portions are configured for nesting relation within
the opposed channels and the rib includes a top wall and bottom
wall interconnected by a support wall. The rib walls are configured
such that an open side is disposed adjacent the stationary slide
element. The mounting slide element includes a spine and opposed
flanges extending from the spine collinearly aligned and offset
parallel to the base, wherein the opposed flanges are configured
for nesting relation within the opposed guide portions.
[0051] Mounting posts 14 are connected to a chassis 12 and adapted
to be connected to mounting slide elements 24 included in a pair of
telescoping slide assemblies 10 mounted to lie in spaced-apart
parallel relation to one another in a cabinet 18 as shown, for
example, in FIGS. 1-3A to permit a user to mount and dismount the
chassis 12 quickly and easily. In the illustrated embodiment,
cabinet 18 includes a rack of computer equipment, and chassis 12 is
sized to be mounted on the telescoping slide assemblies 10 to
permit technicians to gain access to the chassis by moving it out
of the cabinet 18 on telescoping slide assemblies 10. Installation
and replacement of such a chassis is quick and easy because of the
way in which mounting posts 12 are released from "locked" positions
in slots 16 formed in each of the two mounting slide elements 24
(i.e., mounting slide elements) included in the telescoping slide
assemblies 10.
[0052] A telescoping slide assembly 10 is arranged to be mounted on
a rack to lie in side-by-side parallel relation with another
telescoping slide assembly 10 so that a chassis 12 can be carried
on the pair of side-by-side telescoping slide assemblies 10 (136,
138) as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3-6. Chassis 12 is outfitted
with six mounting posts 14 as shown in FIG. 1. It is within the
teaching of the present invention to use more or less than six
mounting posts. Each mounting post 14 is sized to be received
within a post receiving slot 16 of each assembly 10 in order to
connect chassis 12 to telescoping slide assemblies 10.
[0053] Each slot 16 includes an entry portion 17 and a
post-retainer portion 19 as shown best in FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B. The
entry portion 17 and the post-retainer portion 19 do not need to be
vertically aligned. For example, various alternative slot
configurations are within the teachings of the present invention.
Some of the alternative configurations are discussed with respect
to FIGS. 18 and 19. The entry portion 17 communicates with an
opening 25 formed in the spine 60.
[0054] Each mounting post 14 includes a head 170 at one end,
fastener 172 at an opposite end, a throat 174 positioned to lie
between head 170 and fastener 172, and a flange 210 positioned to
lie between fastener 172 and throat 174 as shown, for example, in
FIGS. 1 and 3a. In the illustrated embodiment, head 170 may be
slotted to accept a screwdriver blade, fastener 172 is threaded to
engage a mounting nut 230 shown in FIG. 3B, and flange 210 is an
enlarged annular disk coupled to throat 174 and shaped to resemble
a washer.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1-3B, 7, and 10-13, one of skill in the
art will recognize how one person may position chassis 12 between
two fully extended telescoping slide assemblies 136, 138, lower
chassis 12 so that mounting posts 14 drop into slots 16 formed in
the mounting slide elements 24 included in each of the telescoping
slide assemblies 136, 138 to cause post-locking latches 66 mounted
on each of the two mounting slide elements 24 to lock chassis 12 to
mounting slide elements 24 included in telescoping slide assemblies
136, 138 without the need to use any tools. Release of mounting
posts 14 from their locked positions in slots 16 to permit removal
of chassis 12 from a mounted position on slide assemblies 136, 138
is shown, for example, in FIG. 14. Alternative embodiments of the
post-locking latch are disclosed in FIGS. 17A-1-D-3 and 20A-1-C-2
and will be discussed in detail hereinafter.
[0056] Throat 174 of mounting post 14 is sized to move in slot 16,
while head 170 and flange 210 each have a diameter that is greater
than the width of the slot 16. Mounting slide element 24 is formed
to include a wide opening 25 in a horizontally extending portion 27
of the spine 60 which connects the upper flange 62 and the spine 60
of mounting slide element 24 (see FIGS. 9 and 10b) that is sized to
accept head 15 so that mounting post 14 can be moved to pass throat
19 into and through slot 16 formed in spine 60 and head 15 into and
through opening 25 formed in a portion 27 of the spine 60.
[0057] Each telescoping slide assembly 10 (136, 138) is typically
formed to include a stationary slide element 20, an intermediate
slide element 22, and a mounting slide element 24, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 9. Each slide assembly 10 is fixed to a cabinet 18 and
movable between a fully retracted position and a fully extended
position relative to cabinet 18 so that chassis 12 may be stored
within cabinet 18 as suggested by FIGS. 3-6. It is within the
teachings of this invention to use a telescoping slide assembly
having two or more slide members.
[0058] Stationary slide 20 is fixed within cabinet 18 by brackets
26. It is within the teachings of this invention to include any
type of bracket to couple stationary slide 20 to cabinet 18. For
example, a bracket may be connected to the telescoping slide
assembly for mounting within the cabinet. Stationary slide 20 may
be connected to brackets 26 by any suitable connectors 28, shown in
FIG. 9. For example, the connectors may be screws, bolts, two-part
fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, rivets, adhesive on other
suitable connector. Stationary slide 20 is formed to include a base
30, a top end wall 32, and a bottom end wall 34. An upper channel
40 is defined by the top end wall connector 32 and the base 30, and
a lower channel 42 is defined by the bottom end wall 34 and the
base 30.
[0059] Intermediate slide 22 is similarly formed to include a back
44, a top guide portion 46, and a bottom guide portion 48 each
connected to the base 44, generally bisected by a rib 49. The top
guide portion 46 is configured to receive an upper edge of mounting
slide element 24. A bottom guide portion 48 is configured to
receive a lower edge of mounting slide 24.
[0060] The rib 49 includes a top wall 50 and a bottom wall 51
interconnected by a support wall 52 such that the rib walls 50, 51
and 52 are configured so that an open slide 53 is disposed adjacent
the stationary slide element 20.
[0061] Intermediate slide 22 is received within stationary slide 20
in a nesting relationship, as shown in FIG. 1, so that base 30 of
stationary slide 20 is positioned to lie adjacent to back 44 of
intermediate slide 22. Intermediate slide 22 is also movable
relative to stationary slide 20.
[0062] It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that it
is within the teachings of this invention to include any type of
bearing or a wear pad made of any suitable material in order to
provide a low coefficient of friction between intermediate slide 22
and stationary slide 20.
[0063] Mounting slide 24 includes a spine 60, a horizontally
extending portion 27 connected to spine 60, an upper flange 62
connected to horizontal portion 27, a horizontally extending
portion 27 connected to spine 60 and a lower flange 64 also
connected to horizontal portion 27, as shown in FIGS, 1, 9, and 10.
Mounting slide 24 is connected to and received within intermediate
slide 22 such that upper flange 62 is received within upper guide
portion 54 of intermediate slide 22 and lower flange 64 is received
within lower guide portion 56 of intermediate slide 22, both in
generally nesting relationships.
[0064] It is within the teachings of the present invention that
rollers may be provided between the intermediate mounting slide
elements. The rollers act as bearings so that there is a low
coefficient of friction making mounting slide element freely
movable relative to intermediate slide element. The mounting slide
24 is further formed to define post-receiving slots 16, as
mentioned above, in spine 60, as shown, for example, in FIG. 10b.
Slots 16 are formed to receive mounting posts 14 as shown in FIGS.
1 and 11-13.
[0065] In one embodiment of this invention, each telescoping slide
assembly 10 may further include a post-locking latch 66 as best
shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and 10-14. Post-locking latch 66 is connected
to spine 60 of the mounting slide element 24 and generally includes
a lock body 68 and a spring 72. As shown in FIG. 10, lock body 68
including a slot 74 formed therein and spine 60 include a
projection formed therein for cooperative association to control
movement of the lock body 68. Lock body 68 is positioned to lie
adjacent to spine 60 and spring 72 is disposed to engage the lock
body 68 adjacent a rear face 78 of lock body 68. A first end 80 of
spring 72 is coupled to spine 60 of mounting slide 24. Preferably,
the first end 80 is received within an aperture (not shown) of
spine 60. A second end 82 of spring 72 is connected to lock body 68
by being passed through an aperture (not shown) formed in lock body
68.
[0066] Lock body 68 includes a tip portion 148 at one end and, a
handle 156 at another end. Tip portion 148 serves as a "gate" that
is able to move longitudinally relative to the mounting slide 24 to
control entry of a mounting post 14 into (and exit of the mounting
post 14 from) the post-receiving slot 16 associated with lock body
68, as shown in FIGS. 11-14, and, in the illustrated embodiment,
the gate established by lock body 68 is spring-loaded and moves
linearly along the mounting slide 24.
[0067] Tip portion 148 includes a post blocker 161 and a contact
surface 163 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10. Post blocker 161 is
arranged to block exit of mounting post 14 from post-receiving slot
16 when chassis 12 is mounted on mounting slide element 24 and lock
body 68 is moved to its slot-closing position as shown, for
example, in FIG. 13. Mounting post 14 acts to move the
spring-biased lock body 68 (temporarily) to a slot-opening position
as shown, for example, in FIG. 12 during mounting of chassis 12 on
mounting slide element 24 upon engagement of head 15 of the
downwardly moving mounting post 14 on the curved contact surface
163 provided on tip portion 148 to permit entry of mounting post 14
(past post-locking latch 66) into the post-retainer portion 146 of
post-receiving slot 16.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment of the present
invention, each telescoping slide assembly 10 further includes a
mounting slide lock 84 and an intermediate slide lock 86. Mounting
slide lock 84 is configured to lock mounting slide element 24 to
intermediate slide 22 (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11-14) to prevent
mounting slide element 24 from retracting back within intermediate
slide 22 when telescoping slide assembly 10 is in the fully
extended position, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 8 and 1.
Intermediate slide lock 86 is provided for locking intermediate
slide 22 to stationary slide 20 when intermediate slide 22 reaches
its fully extended position as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 8. The
intermediate slide lock 86 includes an intermediate retraction stop
85 and an intermediate extension stop 87 which cooperate to
maintain the intermediate slide 22 in the fully extended
position.
[0069] Mounting slide element lock 84 in this embodiment is coupled
to mounting slide element 24 and includes a pair of latch arms 88
disposed in spaced opposition each having a ramp portion 90, a stop
portion 89, a lift portion 91 and a pin 92. Each latch arm 88
connected to the rib 49 formed in the back 44 of the intermediate
slide element 22 such that the latch arms 88 are disposed
substantially within the rib 49. Pin 92 is received within an
aperture 96 of latch arm 88 and an aperture (not shown) of
intermediate slide element 22 such that the lifting portion 91
rests on a bottom wall 51 of the rib 49. A pair of apertures 104
are provided in the top wall 50 of the rib 49 normally to receive
the ramp and stop portions 90, 89 therethrough as shown in FIG.
8.
[0070] A capture zone 250 is defined by those portions of the ramp
portions 90 and stop portions 89 which extend through the top wall
50 of the rib 49. A travel tab 252 disposed on the mounting slide
element 24 operatively associates with the capture zone 250 to
secure the mounting slide element 24 in a fully extended position,
as shown in FIG. 8.
[0071] Selective release of the mounting slide lock 84 permits the
mounting slide element 24 to move to the fully retracted position.
FIG. 6 and to disconnect from the intermediate slide element 22.
The latch arm 88 may be moved either as a result of contact with
the travel tab 252 or as a result of the lift portion 91
movement.
[0072] When the mounting slide element 24 is installed into the
intermediate slide element 22, retraction movement of the mounting
slide 24 causes the travel tab 252 to contact and move over the
ramp portion 90 of the outer latch arm 88 into the capture zone
250. This orientation is the fully extended position.
[0073] Likewise, extended the mounting slide element 24 from a
retracted position to the fully extended position causes the travel
tab 252 to contact and move over the ramp portion 90 of the inner
latch arm 88 into the capture zone 250. The stop portions 89 of
each latch arm 88 effectively define the extent of the capture zone
250.
[0074] When the travel tab 252 is disposed in the capture zone 250
the mounting slide element 24 cannot be moved from the fully
extended position without releasing the mounting slide lock 84.
Contact between the travel tab 252, the stop portions 89 causes the
latch arm 88 to attempt to rotate in the direction of intended
travel. However, the pin 92 connects the latch arm 88 to the rib 49
such that contact forces the lift portion 91 into the bottom wall
51 of the rib inhibiting movement of the mounting slide element
24.
[0075] In order to move the mounting slide element 24 from the
fully extended position, the lift portion 91 of the selected latch
arm 88 must be moved to release the mounting slide lock 84. As a
result, the travel tab 252 may be moved in the direction of the
selected latch arm 88 without contact with the stop portion.
[0076] In another embodiment of the present invention, a mounting
slide lock 84 is disposed on the mounting slide element 24 for
operative engagement with an opening 254 formed in the intermediate
slide element 22 as a discontinuous element thereof. See FIGS.
15A-B. While the principal of this embodiment is the same as
discussed above, the structure and function are different and will
be explained below. The mounting slide lock 84 includes a latch arm
256 having a first end 258 connected to the mounting slide element
24 and a free end 260 extended away from the mounting slide element
24 in the general direction of the intermediate slide element 22.
Preferably, the latch arm 256 is formed from a resilient material
such as steel or plastic. However, it will be recognized by those
of skill in the art that any other suitable material may be
used.
[0077] A projection 262 is formed adjacent the free end 260 of the
latch arm 256 for operative engagement with the opening 254. In
this embodiment, the projection 262 is configured as a channel 264
having a bottom 266 disposed generally parallel to and offset from
the latch arm 254 and a pair of side walls 268 connecting the
bottom 266 to the latch arm 254. Preferably, the opening 254 is
configured complementary to the projection 262 such that there is a
tight interface.
[0078] The free end 260 of the latch arm 254 is movable from a
first operative position where the projection contacts the
intermediate slide element 72 during movement of the mounting slide
element 24 relative to the intermediate slide element 72 and a
second operative position where the projection 262 extends into the
opening 254.
[0079] When the projection 262 engages the opening 254 the mounting
slide element is locked into the fully extended position. In order
to move the mounting slide element 24 relative to the intermediate
slide element 22 the mounting slide lock must be released. Moving
the latch arm 254 from the second operative position to the first
operative position releases the mounting slide lock 84.
[0080] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a
mounting slide extension stop 270 is disposed substantially within
the rib 49 for operative engagement with a travel tab 252 to orient
the mounting slide element 24 in a fully extended position, see
FIGS. 21-23. Again, this embodiment is similar to and effectively
operates as one half of the mounting slide lock 84 first described
above.
[0081] A latch arm 272 is movably connected to the rib 49 and
includes a ramp portion 274, a stop portion 276 and a lift portion
278. The ramp portion 274 and lift portion 278 are each available
to move the latch arm 272 to enable movement of the mounting slide
element 24 relative to the intermediate slide element 22.
[0082] The ramp portion 274 and stop portion 276 extend through a
slot 104 in the top wall 50 of the rib for operative engagement
with the travel tab 252. When the travel tab 252 contacts and moves
over the ramp portion 274 during installation the latch arm moves
so that the mounting slide element 24 may be further moved in the
direction of the fully retracted position, see FIG. 22.
[0083] During servicing, the mounting slide element 24 is moved
from the retracted position in the direction of the fully extended
position. The travel tab 252 moves along the top wall 50 of the rib
49 until contact with the stop portion 276 of the mounting slide
extension stop 270. As discussed above, the lift portion 278
prohibits the mounting slide element 24 from moving past the fully
extended position with release thereof. Moving the lift portion 278
releases the mounting slide extension stop 270 such that the
mounting slide element 24 may be moved relative to the intermediate
slide element 22 in the direction of the latch arm 272 without the
travel tab 252 contacting the stop portion 276 of the latch arm
272.
[0084] The intermediate slide lock 86 is disposed on the stationary
slide element 20 and includes an intermediate retraction stop 85
and an intermediate extension stop 87 as best shown in FIGS. 4C, 8
and 9. The intermediate retraction stop 85 includes an arm 280 and
a drop stop 282 such that the arm 280 is movable between a first
operative position (when moved in direction of arrow 279) where the
arm 280 is oriented to be received and disposed with the rib 49
when the intermediate slide element 22 is disposed in the position
other than the fully extended position and a second operative
position, see FIG. 4C, where a tab 284 is formed on the arm 280 for
contacting the stop 282 so that a first end 286 of the arm 180 is
disposed to engage in inner end 288 of the intermediate slide
element 22. Thereby, preventing retraction of the intermediate
slide element 22 until the arm 280 is moved to the first operative
position.
[0085] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drop stop
282 and the tab 284 are disposed adjacent the first end 286, see
FIGS. 16A-C. In another embodiment of the present invention, the
drop stop 282 and the tab 284 are disposed opposite the first end
286, see FIGS. 4C and 8.
[0086] An intermediate retraction stop release 300 is disposed on
the mounting slide element 24 for contact with the arm 280 of the
intermediate retraction stop 86. When the mounting slide element 24
is moved from the fully extended position to the fully retracted
position, the intermediate retraction stop release 300 contacts and
moves the arm 280 from the second operative position to the first
operative position in direction of arrow 279.
[0087] Intermediate travel tabs 302 disposed on the intermediate
slide element 22 engage the intermediate extension stop 87 formed
on the stationary slide element 20 in order to prevent removal of
the intermediate slide element 22 from the stationary slide element
20. A stationary retraction stop 304 may also be disposed on the
stationary slide element 20 to orient the intermediate and mounting
slide element 22, 24 the fully retracted position.
[0088] As mentioned before, the slides 22 and 24 in each
telescoping slide assembly 10 are movable between a fully retracted
position, wherein intermediate slide section 22 is received fully
within stationary slide 20 and mounting slide element 24 is
received fully within intermediate slide 22, and a fully extended
position, shown in FIG. 2, wherein each slide 20, 22, 24 is
extended fully with respect to one another. Preferably, as the
slides in slide assembly 10 move from the fully retracted position
to the fully extended position, mounting slide element 24 remains
positioned fully within intermediate slide 22 and does not move
relative to intermediate slide 22. In this embodiment, only
intermediate slide 22 (with mounting slide element 24) initially
moves relative to stationary slide 20. It will be recognized by
those of skill in the art that other sequencing methods may be
used. For example, the mounting slide 84 may fully extend before
the intermediate slide extends from the stationary slide 20.
[0089] Preferably, once intermediate slide 22 has moved to its
fully extended position relative to stationary slide 20, the
intermediate travel tab 302 in the intermediate slide element 22
engage the intermediate extension stop 87 and the first end 286 of
the arm 280 falls by gravity out of the rib 49 to engage the inner
end 288 of the intermediate slide element 22. Intermediate slide
lock 86, thus prevents intermediate slide 22 from moving relative
to stationary slide 20. Mounting slide element 24 may now be moved
relative to intermediate slide 22 toward the fully extended
position. As mounting slide element 24 moves to its fully extended
position relative to intermediate slide 22, travel tab 252 contacts
and moves over ramp portion 90 of latch arm 88 into the capture
zone 250. Mounting slide element 24 is thus prevented from moving
relative to intermediate slide 22.
[0090] In order to retract intermediate slide element 22 into
stationary slide 20, lift portion 91 of the inner latch arm 88 must
be moved such that the stop portion 89 does not impede movement of
the mounting slide element 24. Thereby, allowing mounting slide
element 24 to move relative to intermediate slide 22. Once mounting
slide element 24 moves to a fully retracted position within
intermediate slide 22, an intermediate retraction stop release 300
contacts the arm 280 to move the arm 280 upwardly to the first
operative position. Thereby, the intermediate retraction stop 15 is
released to allow intermediate slide 22 (and the mounting slide
element 24 therein) to move relative to stationary slide 20 toward
the fully retracted position in stationary slide 20.
[0091] In order to mount chassis 12 to telescoping slide assemblies
10, three mounting posts 14 are coupled to a right side 132 of
chassis 12 and three mounting posts 14 are coupled to a left side
134 of chassis 12. Mounting posts 14 are shown to be shoulder
screws; however, it is within the teachings of this invention to
include any type of post mounted to right and left sides 132, 134
of chassis 12. Posts 14 coupled to right side 132 of chassis 12 are
provided to correspond with a right-side telescoping slide assembly
136 (of a cooperating pair of telescoping slide assemblies 10
coupled to cabinet 18) and posts 14 coupled to left side 134 of
chassis 12 are provided to correspond with a left-side telescoping
slide assembly 138, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 2, stationary slide 20 of each telescoping
slide assembly 136, 138 is coupled to cabinet 18 by brackets 26
which are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4. When telescoping slide
assemblies 136, 138 are in the fully extended position, all three
post-receiving slots 16 of each mounting slide element 24 are
exposed so that chassis 12 may be lowered between each of the
right-side and left-side telescoping slide assemblies 136, 138.
Each mounting post 14 is thus received within a corresponding
post-receiving slot 16. FIGS. 7 and 11, for example, show chassis
12 being lowered in a downward direction 140 in order for posts 14
to be received within companion slots 16 formed in mounting slide
elements 24.
[0093] As chassis 12 is lowered between right and left telescoping
slide assemblies 136, 138 and each mounting post 14 is being
received within each corresponding post-receiving slot 16, as shown
in FIG. 11, a middle mounting post 14 is urged to engage the lock
body 68 of post-locking latch 66. The downward force of mounting
post 14 causes lock body 68 to move linearly so that mounting post
14 is positioned to rest at the bottom or post-receiving portion of
the slot 16, as shown in FIG. 12. Once mounting post 14 is
positioned to rest at the bottom portion of post-receiving slot 16,
lock body 68 is normally biased so that a post blocker 161 of tip
portion 148 of lock body 68 is positioned to lie adjacent to
mounting post 14 and prevent mounting post 14 from exiting from
post-receiving slot 16. Once chassis 12 is mounted on each
telescoping slide assembly. 10, chassis 12, and the slides 22, 24
in and slide assemblies 136, 138 may be moved in direction 150
toward the fully retracted position within cabinet 18, as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4-6.
[0094] In order to release chassis 12 from telescoping slide
assemblies 136, 138, post-locking latch 66 is released by a user,
as shown in FIG. 14. User pulls generally forwardly in direction
154 on a back end 156 of lock body 68 against the bias of spring 72
in order to move post blocker 161 of tip portion 148 away from
mounting post 14 and "open" the post-receiving slot 16. User may
then move chassis 12 up as shown by arrows 157 so that mounting
post 14 is moved from the bottom portion of post-receiving slot 16
and out of post-receiving slot 16 through the vertically extending
entry portion of slot 16.
[0095] FIGS. 17A-1, 17D-3 illustrate alternative post-locking
latches 66. The lock body 68 in each figure is connected to the
mounting slide element 24 adjacent the post-receiving slot 16. Each
lock body 68 is movable so that the mounting post may move past the
tip portion 148 of the lock body 68 and then be moved back to an
original position such that the post-blocker 161 prevents mounting
post 14 from exiting from post-receiving slot 16.
[0096] FIGS. 18A-E illustrate alternative embodiments of
post-engaging slots operative with any embodiment of the present
invention.
[0097] FIGS. 19A-C illustrate alternative embodiments of
post-engaging slots which have an initial opening oriented along
the longitudinal axis of the telescoping slide assemblies. It will
be noted that in each such post-receiving slot of this embodiment,
there is a protrusion which defines a tortured path for preventing
unintended removal of the mounting post. This protrusion 308
operates as a mechanical lock which has no moving parts. Thereby,
cost and complexity can be reduced.
[0098] FIGS. 20A-1-C-2 illustrate alternative embodiments of
post-receiving slots having openings along the longitudinal axis of
the telescoping slide assemblies which are operative with
mechanical locks as shown. Generally, a protrusion also defines a
tortured path in the post-receiving slot in these embodiments. The
mechanical lock element includes a lock body which further secures
the mounting post within the post-receiving slot.
[0099] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
* * * * *