Quick Disconnect Slide Structure

Abstract

A slide structure comprises a pair of slide members intercoupled by a slide-bearing assembly for longitudinal relative movement between contracted-retracted positions and advanced-extended, and separated positions. A resilient arm is carried by one of the slide members and releasably engages a shoulder on the other slide member when the members are in an intermediate position. The arm is movable to a retained retracted disengaged position, when the slide members are in their intermediate positions, by being longitudinally forwardly slideable along its slide member, or is releasably locked in such position by a slideable lock member and is released from its retracted position upon a predetermined movement of the slide member. The bearing assembly upon extension of the slide member is locked against rearward movement and is released upon a predetermined contraction of the slide members.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to improvements in support structures and it relates more particularly to an improved quick disconnect slide structure for supporting drawers, racks, modules, and the like for sliding movement and selective detachment and separation.

It is often desirable to mount a drawer, rack, module, housing or other device on a support structure or frame in a manner which permits a sliding movement of the device between retracted and extended positions and the selective separation of the device from the support structure to provide complete access thereto, such as for repair, replacement or the like. It is common to support such devices by means of mutually slideable slide or track members, which are secured to the support structure and supported device respectively, and to releasably lock the slide members against full extension and separation, to avoid accidental displacement. However, such slide structures which have been heretofore employed or proposed possess numerous drawbacks and disadvantages, particularly when the slide supported device is heavy and bulky. They are unreliable structures, oftentimes not locking if the slides are opened rapidly, and they are awkward and difficult to handle and manipulate when it is desired to separate the slide-mounted device from the support structure, since the device must be supported by both hands of the operator during the separating operation. Common releasing means involved spring-loaded releasing buttons operable by inserting a finger into a hole and depressing the button, and simultaneously moving the device forward to lock the button in release position, oftentimes skinning the finger on the periphery of the opening. Attempts to avoid this resulted in using spring-loaded pivoting bars which allowed a larger opening to avoid the skinning problem, but still required simultaneous depression of the release catch and longitudinal movement of the device.

Further, the more elaborate slide assemblies used ball bearings as the sliding means coupling the slide members. If a ball bearing retainer were used, in reassembling the slide members, the retainer would oftentimes move inwardly before it received the inner slide member, making it awkward for the operator holding the drawer or console, especially if it were heavy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved structure for mounting devices for movement between retracted and extended positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved positive-acting quick-release device mounting slide structure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved slide structure which is releasably and positively locked against full extension and separation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved releasable locking mechanism for a slide assembly, which is positive-acting, easy and simple to release, and which is automatically returned to a locked condition upon a predetermined movement of the slide assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to maintain the ball bearing retainer in fixed position, while the removed slide member is being reinserted or reassembled.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a structure and mechanism of the above nature which is characterized by its ruggedness, reliability, positive-acting, adaptability, versatility and ease of operation.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a slide structure comprising at least a pair of first and second elongated slide members intercoupled for relative longitudinal sliding between retracted and extended positions, and means located on said slide members for releasably restricting said relative sliding of said slide members from said retracted position to a predetermined position short of said extended position, and including a first stop member mounted on the first slide member and movable between a stop position and a releasably retained retracted position when the slide members are in the predetermined position. Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a bearing assembly slideably supported by a second of the slide members for movement between an advanced or forward position and retracted or rearward position, and slideably supporting the first slide member, and means automatically releasable by the retraction of the first slide member for locking said bearing assembly in its advanced position.

In the preferred form of the slide structure the slide members are defined by at least two, but preferably three, telescopically slideable confronting channel members, the legs of which define bearing races. A retainer member contains a plurality of ball bearings between confronting channel legs to afford free sliding between the slide members with concurrent movement of the bearing assembly. A retractable shoulder on the second slide member restricts the retraction of the advanced bearing assembly, and means on the first slide member effects the retraction of the bearing assembly locking shoulder as the first slide member is retracted to a predetermined position.

The second slide member has an opening formed in its cross-web proximate its forward end, and a resilient latch arm is slideably mounted on the first slide member and is provided with a transversely projecting shoulder, which registers with the opening when the slide members are short of their longitudinally separated position. The latch arm is accessible through the opening and may be depressed and advanced forwardly of the opening into sliding engagement with the ball retainer cross-web where it is retained in its retracted position. In the alternative, the latch arm is provided with side wings, which releasably engage notches in the sides of the second slide member, and a longitudinally slideable latch retracting member is carried by the first slide member and is movable between a rearward latch arm disengagement position and a forward latch arm engagement position, the latch retracting member being automatically returned to its rearward position upon retraction of the slide members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary inside elevational view of one form of a slide assembly embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary inside elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention, with the slide members shown in a locked intermediate position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5, with the slides illustrated partially retracted; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10--10 in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 to 3 thereof, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 10 generally designates an improved slide assembly illustrated as applied to the slide mounting in an opening of a drawer 11 or the like, on a support frame of cabinet 12, a pair of assemblies 10 being employed on opposite sides of the opening. As related to the present invention, slide assembly 10 includes an intermediate slide member 13 slideable mounted on frame 12 in any suitable manner, such as by means of a slide member 14 affixed to slide member 13 and supported by frame 12 by an associated slide member 15 and slide bearings 15a. Slide member 15 is affixed to frame 12. An inner slide member 16 is affixed to the side wall of drawer 11 in any convenient manner, such as screws, bolts, brackets, or the like, and longitudinally slideably registers with slide member 13.

Slide member 13 is channel-shaped and includes a cross-web 17 and upper and lower inwardly directed flanges 18, terminating in underfolded transversely cylindrical sections defining longitudinal outer races 19. The inner slide member 16 is likewise channel-shaped, and includes an inner cross-web 20 and outwardly directed cylindrical race-defining flanges 21 spaced from and confronting corresponding races 19. Registering circular access opening 22 and 23 are formed in the webs of slide members 13 and 14 respectively, proximate their forward ends; the cross-web 17 of slide member 13 having front and rear tongues 24 and 26, respectively formed therein on opposite sides of opening 22, with tongues 24 and 26 being inwardly inclined as they approach opening 22 to form cam surfaces 27 and 28 respectively and terminating in inwardly offset stop shoulders 29 and 30 bordering the front and rear of opening 22.

Slide members 13 and 16 are slideably coupled by a slide-bearing 32, which comprises a ball-retainer or ball-spacer 33 including a cross-web 34 bearing at its outer edges on web 17, and having an inwardly offset intermediate section 36, which terminates at a point forwardly of the trailing end of retainer 33. Projecting inwardly from opposite edges of retainer web 34 between races 19 and 21 are flanges 37 having longitudinally spaced openings which engage balls 38, which are of larger diameter than the openings and are entrapped between confronting races 19 and flanges 37. Stop ears or pins 39 are formed at the front end of web 17 to prevent the separation of slide bearing 32.

Formed in slide member cross-web 20, proximate its rear end, are relatively long and short front longitudinally extending rectangular openings 40 and 41 respectively, separated by a crosspiece 42. Integrally formed with web 20, and outwardly offset relative thereto, is a plate section 43 parallel to web 20 and extending from the front border of opening 40 to a point short of crosspiece 42. At the rear border of opening 41 is an outwardly offset ear 44 parallel to and integrally formed with web 20.

Means for releasably restraining slide member 16 from advancing out of engagement with slide member 13 includes a latch member 46, slideably supported by slide member 16 and formed of a strip of resilient material such as a spring steel or the like. Latch member 46 includes a rectangular front tail section 47, registering with and of smaller length than opening 40 and slideably engaging the inner face of section 43. Tail section 47 terminates in a rear-outwardly directed shoulder 48, confronting the front edge of crosspiece 42 and connected to a rearwardly-outwardly inclined strip section 49, disposed outwardly of crosspiece 42 and opening 41. The rear part of section 49 is bifurcated by a triangular slot 25 formed therein, and terminates in a pair of spaced, outwardly directed bent legs 50, which are integrally formed with a rearwardly-inwardly inclined rectangular latch plate 51 having longitudinally projecting front and rear coplanar fingers 52 and 53. It should be noted that latch plate 51 and fingers 52 and 53 are of lesser length than opening 22 in slide 13, and are movable into engagement therewith, with the edge of finger 52 engaging shoulder 29, and the end of finger 53 being spaced inwardly of the inner edge of shoulder 30. The rear border of latch plate 51 is joined by a pair of transversely spaced, upwardly-inwardly inclined legs 54 to a flat crosspiece 56, which slideably engages the front face of ear 44 and is limited in its rearward movement by a shoulder 57 at the rear border of opening 41.

The retainer web section 36 is of such length, the openings 22 and 23 so disposed in slide members 13 and 14 respectively, and latch member 46 so relatively located, that when slide-bearing 32 is in its forward position with slide member 16 advanced to its forward latched position, openings 22 and 23 are uncovered by retainer web section 36 to provide access to latch plate 51.

An interlock or lock lever 58 is pivoted to the rear end of slide member 14, and functions to releasably lock the slide members in their fully extended positions, and forms no part of the invention.

Considering now the operation of the mechanism described above, when slide members 13 and 16 are in their extended latched intermediate position, as illustrated in the drawings, latch plate 51 registers with opening 22 in slide member 13, with finger 52 bearing on shoulder 29 of slide member 13 to prevent any further advance of slide member 16, slide-bearing 32 is in its forward position exposing openings 22 and 23, and latch member 46 is in a relatively retracted position. If it is desired to further extend and separate slide members 16 from slide members 13 so as to detach drawer 11, each latch plate 51 is finger-pushed inwardly by access through openings 22 and 23, and latch member 46 is advanced forwardly along slide member 16 (to the left as viewed in FIG. 2) until finger 52 slideably engages the inside face of tongue 24, whereby to release slide member 16 for advance and detachment from slide member 13. Drawer 11 may then be pulled and separated from frame 12.

To replace drawer 11 and recouple slide members 13 and 16, they are reconnected mereby by slideably inserting slide members 16 into corresponding slide members 13, and pushing them rearwardly (to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2). Inclined legs 54 of latch member 46 engaging the leading edge of retainer web 36 cause latch plate 51 to move or be biased inwardly, so that it may slide along the inside face of retainer web 36, past the trailing edge of web 36 where it is then released to spring outwardly of the plane of web 36, as seen in the drawings.

Forward movement of slide member 16 from its retracted position moves latch plate 51 inwardly along cam surface 28 of slide member 13, and rearwardly along slide member 16 until it registers with opening 22, where it snaps into engagement with its periphery. When latch plate 51 engages the periphery of opening 22, finger 53 is generally aligned with shoulder 30 of slide member 13, so that rearward movement of slide member 16 is prevented until latch plate 51 is pushed inwardly to clear shoulder 30, and permit the free and unimpeded retraction of slide member 16 into slide member 13. This lockout holds the slide in its forward position. If this lockout feature is not desired, cam surface section 28 can be eliminated, so that shoulder 30 is positioned outwardly of finger 53 and cannot be engaged by finger 53 when slide member 16 is urged rearwardly allowing unimpeded movement of slide member 16 into slide member 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-10 of the drawings, which illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 63 designates the improved slide assembly, which is employed in the manner of that first described, and includes an outer slide member 64 suitably slidably mounted on frame 65, and preferably slidable relative thereto by means of a cooperating slide and bearing assembly 60 slideably mounted to a slide member 59, affixed to frame 65, an inner slide member 66 affixed to the sidewall of drawer 67, and slide-bearing assembly 68 slideably coupling members 64, 66.

Outer slide member 64 is channel-shaped and includes an outer vertical cross-web 69 provided along its upper and lower edges with race-defining, shaped, inwardly directed flanges 70. A rectangular recess 71 is formed in the front end of web 69 and inwardly directed flanges 72 are integrally formed along its longitudinal edges spaced from and parallel to flanges 70. The front and rear edges 73 and 74 respectively, of flanges 72 define cam surfaces which are forwardly and rearwardly inwardly inclined respectively, and a rectangular latching notch 76 is formed in the inner edge of each flange 72.

A medial rectangular slot 77 is formed in outer vertical web 69 rearwardly of recess 71, as seen best in FIG. 6. A slide-bearing latch member 78 registers with slot 77 and is cantileverly secured to web 69 at the rear border of slot 77. Latch member 78 is formed of a resilient metal strip and includes an inwardly-forwardly inclined outer section 79 extending from the rear border of slot 77 (to the right as viewed in FIG. 6) to a point rearwardly of the front edge of slot 77, and an inner section 80, provided with a rear tail 81, superimposed on the rear part of outer section 79 and riveted therewith on web 69, adjacent to the rear border of slot 77 by fasteners 75. Section 80 terminates at its front in a tab 82 overlying and joined, such as spot welded, to the front end of section 79, and provided at its rear edge with an inwardly directed, stop-defining shoulder 83, perpendicular to tab 82. The inner end of shoulder 83 and the front end of tail 81 are joined by integrally formed cam, defining rearwardly and forwardly, inwardly-inclined, converging sections 84 and 86, respectively. Latch member 78 is normally resiliently urged to a latch position inwardly of web 69, and may be outwardly retracted to swing about its rear end to a bearing release position.

Slide bearing assembly 68 is disposed between race 70 of slide member 64 and flanges 97 of slide member 60 and comprises a ball-retainer or ball-spacer 87 including a vertical medial cross-web 88 spaced inwardly from outer slide member web 69, outwardly offset longitudinal sections 89, engaging the inner face of outer slide member web 69, and inwardly directed flanges 90 spaced from flanges 70. Flanges 90 are provided with longitudinally spaced apertures, in which balls 91 of larger diameter rest, and which are entrapped between flanges or races 90 and 70, and project to the opposite sides of flanges 90.

As seen best in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, a medial longitudinal slot 92 is formed in ball-retainer web 88, and when slide bearing assembly 68 is in its forwardmost position with the front edge of ball-retainer 88 abutting rear shoulders 94 of flanges 72, latch member 78 is resiliently urged through slot 92 in ball-retainer web 88, with latch shoulder 83 confronting and engaging the front edge of slot 92 to releasably lock slide-bearing assembly 68 in its forward position. Abutments are formed on the rear of outer slide member web 69 to restrict the rearward movement of slide-bearing assembly 68.

Inner slide member 66 longitudinally slideably registers with outer slide member 64 and includes a cross-web 96 abutting and secured to a side wall of drawer 67 in any convenient manner, such as bolts 118, and outwardly directed, race-defining flanges 97 confronting races 70 and engaging balls 91. Cross-web 96 is offset from and projects rearwardly of flanges 97 to define a tongue 98. As seen in FIG. 5, a longitudinally extending slot 99 is formed in cross-web 96 in the rear section thereof, and is transversely enlarged proximate the rear part thereof. A stop member 100 is secured to the outer face of web 69 proximate the rear end of slot 99, and includes an outwardly offset shoulder 101 registering with the rear part of slot 99.

A latch member 102 is affixed to the outer face of web 96 of slide member 66 in register with slot 99, and is formed of resilient metal. Latch member 102 includes a rearwardly-outwardly inclined elongated arm 103, secured at its forward end by rivets 115, or the like, to the outer face of inner slide member web 96 at the front border of opening 99. Integrally formed and coplanar with the rear end section of resilient arm 103 are transversely-projecting opposite latch wings 104, and a relatively sharply rearwardly-inwardly inclined arm 106 projects longitudinally from the rear end of arm 103, and terminates in a rearwardly projecting ear 107, bearing on the inner face of shoulder 101 to restrict the outward movement of latch member 102.

A longitudinally extending latch-retracting member 108 is positioned along the outer face of slide member web 96, and includes a medial longitudinal web 109, parallel to and spaced outwardly from web 96, and inwardly directed top and bottom flanges 105, which terminate in oppositely directed lips slideably registering with the longitudinal corners between web 96 and races 97, to support retracting member 108 for relative longitudinal sliding movement. A longitudinal slot 110 is formed in web 109, and is engaged by a large flat-headed rivet 111, which limits the longitudinal movement of retractor member 108, so that when retractor member 108 is moved to its rearward position, the rear edge of web 109 moves rearwardly along resilient inclined arm 103 to retract latch member 102 inwardly into slot 99, as viewed in FIG. 9. When retractor member 108 is returned to its forward position, latch member 102 is released to resiliently swing out of slot 99 to its outermost position as restricted by ear 107 and shoulder 101, as shown in FIG. 5. The forward end of web 109 terminates in an outwardly directed finger 112 to aid in grasping and moving.

An interlock 119 is pivotally mounted to the rear end of slide member 64, and functions to releasably lock the cabinet slide member to the intermediate slide member in their fully extended positions, and forms no part of this invention.

Considering now the operation of the improved slide assembly 63 last described, when slide members 64 and 66 are in their relatively retracted condition, slide bearing assembly 68 is in its rearmost position, retractor member 108 is in its forward position releasing latch member 102, which resiliently slideably bears on the inner face of retainer web 88 as shown in FIG. 9, and slide-bearing latch member 78 is inwardly sprung to slideably bear on the outer face of web 96.

As drawer 67 is pulled forwardly, slide member 66 and slide-bearing assembly 68 move forwardly along slide member 64. Toward the end of the initial withdrawal movement of drawer 67, latch wings 104 of latch member 102 engage cam surface 74 of flange 72 to retract latch member 102 inwardly, until wings 104 register with notch 76, and snap into engagement therewith, to prevent any further sliding of latch member 102 and slide member 66 in a forwardly or rearwardly direction. In the locked position of inner slide member 66, ball-retainer member 88 abuts shoulder 94 of flange 72 to prevent its forward movement, and latch member 78 springs inwardly into engagement with slot 77, with shoulder 83 confronting the front end edge of slot 77, as shown in shadow in FIG. 6 to hereby prevent the rearward movement of slide bearing assembly 68.

In order to permit the separation or removal of drawer 67 from frame 65, retractor member 108 is manually pushed rearwardly by way of finger 112, so that the rear edge of web 109 slides rearwardly along inclined arm 103 of latch member 102, to retract wings 104 out of engagement with notches 76 in flange 72 and permit the easy withdrawal and separation of slide members 66 from slide bearings 68 and slide members 64, without restricting the position of the hands in the withdrawal.

To reassemble the slide members, the rear ends of inner slide members 66 are inserted into the front ends of slide members 64, as directed by opposite plastic bearing guides 113 at the front ends of slide members 64, and are pushed rearwardly. Slide bearings assembly 68 will remain stationary in its locked position to receive its corresponding ends of slide members 66, until the rear edge of tongue 98 on slide member 66 engages and rides along cam arm 84 to outwardly retract latch member 78 and shoulder 83, whereupon slide assembly 68 will move rearwardly to its rearmost position with the full retraction of slide members 66. While slide-bearing assembly 68 is in its locked forward position, balls 91 will rotate about their own axes and provide some drag on moving slide member 66, since there is no rolling movement of the balls until assembly 68 moves relatively with slide members 66. As slide member 66 approaches its retracted position, the front edge of slower moving retainer web 96 engages the rear face of finger 112 of retractor member 108 to move retractor member 108 to its forwardmost position along web 96 whereby to release latch member 102. It should be noted that when wings 104 engage notches 76, retractor member 108 must be shifted rearwardly to unlock slide member 66 for either forward or rearward movement.

While one form of slide assembly is shown, other common types may be used with the present invention, such as three telescoping members with the inner slide member attached to the drawer and the outer slide member attached to the cabinet. If three slide members are used, an interlock should be used between intermediate and outer members.

Inner slide members 15 and 59 allow slides 13 and 64, respectively, to telescope outwardly to a greater distance, and have not been discussed in greater detail.

As used in the specification and claims, "extended position" refers to the maximum relative position that the slide member attached to the drawer is supported by the slide member to which it is slideably coupled. This latter slide member could be the intermediate slide member in a three part slide or inner slide member in a two part assembly.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. A slide structure, comprising a pair of first and second elongated slide members intercoupled for relative longitudinal sliding between retracted and extended positions, and means located on said slide members for releasably restricting said relative sliding of said slide members from said retracted position to a predetermined position short of said extended position, and including a stop member mounted on said first slide member and longitudinally movable along said first slide member between a stop position and a releasably retained retracted position when said slide members are in said predetermined position.

2. The slide structure of claim 1, including means on said second slide member responsive to the relative movement of said slide members for releasing said stop member from its retracted position.

3. A slide structure comprising a pair of first and second elongated slide members intercoupled for relative longitudinal sliding between retracted and extended positions, and means located on said slide members for releasably restricting said relative sliding of said slide members from said retracted position to a predetermined position short of said extended position, and including stop member mounted on said first slide member and movable between a stop position and a releasably retained retracted position when said slide members are in said predetermined position, said stop member comprising an arm mounted on said first slide member and including a shoulder, said second slide member having a stop shoulder, said shoulder on said first slide member being resiliently transversely urged with said arm to an advanced position in registry with the shoulder of said second slide member when said slide members are in said predetermined position.

4. The slide structure of claim 3, wherein said arm is longitudinally slideable on said first slide member between advanced and retracted positions with said first shoulder forwardly and rearwardly respectively of said second shoulder when said slide members are in said predetermined position.

5. The slide structure of claim 4, including means on said slide members for retracting said arm when said slide members are relatively moved.

6. The slide structure of claim 3, wherein said second slide member has an opening formed therein, an edge thereof defining said second stop shoulder, said arm being accessible through said opening when said slide members are in said predetermined position.

7. The slide structure of claim 3, including a longitudinally extending locking member mounted on said first slide member and longitudinally movable thereon between a first position retaining said arm in its retracted position, and a second position releasing said arm for movement to its advanced position.

8. The slide structure of claim 7, including means on said second slide member for urging said locking member to its arm releasing position when said slide members are moved toward their retracted positions.

9. A slide structure, comprising a pair of longitudinally extending parallel first and second slide members, a bearing assembly including a ball bearing retainer movable relative to said slide movable for slideably coupling said first and second slide members for movement between advanced and retracted positions and slideable along said second slide member between an advanced and retracted position, and means releasable in response to the relative position of said first slide member engaging said ball bearing retainer for locking said bearing assembly in its advanced position.

10. The slide structure of claim 9, wherein said bearing assembly comprises a longitudinally extending ball bearing retainer including a cross-web having a longitudinal slot formed therein, and said locking means comprises a resilient arm mounted on said second slide member and urged into engagement with said slot when registering therewith, said resilient arm including a cam surface engageable by said first slide member to urge said arm to an unlocked position during retraction of said first slide member.

11. The slide structure of claim 3, comprising a slide-bearing assembly slideably intercoupling said first and second slide members, and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and a longitudinally extending locking member mounted on said first slide member and longitudinally movable between an advanced position retaining said arm in its retracted position and a retracted position releasing said arm for movement to its advanced position, and including a shoulder section longitudinally registering with said retainer and adapted to engage said retainer upon retraction of said first slide member to thereby retract said locking member.