Claims
- 1. A slide comprising:a first slide member; a second slide member slidably coupled to the first slide member, wherein the second slide member can extend and retract relative to the first slide member; a lock latch coupled to the second slide member for interlockingly coupling with the first slide member; a jacket slidably coupled to the lock latch and slidably moveable between a first position and a second position along the lock latch, wherein when the second member is retracted relative to the first slide member during coupling of the second slide member to the first slide member, the jacket moves to the first position preventing the lock latch from interlockingly coupling with the first slide member, and wherein when the second slide member is extended relative to the first slide member, the jacket moves to a second position allowing for the interlocking coupling of the lock latch with the first slide member.
- 2. A slide as recited in claim 1 wherein the first slide member causes the jacket to slide between the first and second positions.
- 3. A slide as recited in claim 1 wherein the first slide member comprises at least one protrusion and wherein the lock latch comprises at least one cut out, wherein the lock latch interlockingly couples with the first slide member when said at least one protrusion penetrates said at least one cut out.
- 4. A slide as recited in claim 3 wherein when in the first position, the jacket prevents penetration of the cut out by said at least one protrusion.
- 5. A slide as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one cut out is an opening formed through the lock latch.
- 6. A slide as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one protrusion extends from the first slide member from a location proximate an end of the first slide member from which the second slide member extends relative to the first slide member.
- 7. A slide as recited in claim 6 wherein said at least one protrusion engages the jacket to move it to the first position when the second slide member is retracted relative to the first slide member during coupling of the second slide member to the first slide member, and wherein said at least one protrusion engages the jacket to move it to the second position when the second slide member is extended relative to the first slide member.
- 8. A slide as recited in claim 6 wherein the first slide member is an elongated member comprising an elongated web and a leg extending from either side of the web, wherein the web and legs of the first slide member define a channel, the first slide member further comprising an opening extending to said end of the first slide member from which the second slide member extends relative to the first slide member, wherein said at least one protrusion comprises a first tab extending from the web of the first slide member within the channel and a second tab extending from the web of the first slide member within the channel, and wherein the first and second tabs extend from opposite sides of said opening formed on the web of the first slide member.
- 9. A slide as recited in claim 8 wherein the lock latch comprises:a first portion coupled to the first slide member; a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion, wherein said at least one cut out comprises two cut outs, one cut out formed on one side of the second portion and another cutout formed on an opposite side of the second portion, wherein a neck is formed between the two cut outs, wherein the second portion further comprises a body and a head, wherein the body and head are interconnected by the neck, and wherein when the lock latch interconnectingly couples with the first slide member, each tab penetrates one of said cut outs.
- 10. A slide as recited in claim 9 wherein the body comprises two sections, a first section adjacent the neck and a second section extending from the first section, wherein the width of the first section is narrower than the width of the second section defining two shoulders on the body second section extending beyond the body first section and wherein two shoulders are formed on the head extending beyond the neck, wherein when in the first position the jacket abuts the shoulders formed on the head and wherein in the second position, the jacket abuts the shoulder formed on the body second section.
- 11. A slide as recited in claim 10 wherein the jacket comprises a first surface opposite a second surface sandwiching the lock latch.
- 12. A slide as recited in claim 10 wherein the jacket comprises:a first panel; a second panel opposite the first panel; and a third panel opposite the first panel and spaced apart from the second panel by a distance smaller than the width of the neck, wherein the first, second and third panels at least partially surround the lock latch.
- 13. A slide as recited in claim 12 wherein the jacket further comprises a first side surface transverse to the first and second panels and interconnecting the first and second panels, and a second side surface transverse to the first and third panels and interconnecting the first and third panels, wherein each of the first and second side surfaces comprises an end, each end engaging one of said body second section shoulders when the jacket is in the second position.
- 14. A slide as recited in claim 13 wherein the jacket further comprises a first end web portion transverse to the first and second panels and interconnecting the first and second panels, and a second web portion transverse to the first and third panels and interconnecting the first and third panels, wherein the first and second web portions each engage one of said head shoulders when the jacket is in the first position.
- 15. A slide as recited in claim 14 wherein the jacket is integrally formed as a unit.
- 16. A slide as recited in claim 12 wherein the lock latch further comprises a protrusion at the body first section, and wherein a cut out is formed on the first panel of the jacket extending to an end of the first panel for accommodating the protrusion when the jacket is in the second position.
- 17. A slide as recited in claim 1 wherein the lock latch comprises a protrusion and wherein the first slide member comprises a depression, wherein when the jacket is in the second position the protrusion is allowed to penetrate the depression for interlockingly coupling the lock latch with the first slide member.
- 18. A slide as recited in claim 1 wherein the lock latch comprises a protrusion and wherein the first slide member comprises an opening, wherein when the jacket is in the second position the protrusion is allowed to penetrate the opening for interlockingly coupling the lock latch with the first slide member.
- 19. A slide as recited in claim 8 wherein the second slide member is an elongated member comprising and elongated web an a leg extending from either side of the web, wherein the web and legs of the second slide member define a channel, wherein the channel of the first slide member faces the channel of the second slide member when the first and second slide member are slidably coupled, and wherein the lock latch is coupled to the web of the second slide member and extends within the channel of the second slide member, wherein the lock latch comprises a first end portion coupled to the web of the second slide member and a second end portion opposite the first end portion extending at an angle relative to the first end portion, and wherein an end of the second portion is bent toward the web of the second slide member.
- 20. A slide as recited in claim 19 wherein the web of the second slide member comprises a slot for receiving the bent end of the second portion of the latch when the second portion of the latch is pushed toward the web of the second slide member.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of and is based on Provisional Application Serial No. 60/313,275 filed on Aug. 17, 2001, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/313275 |
Aug 2001 |
US |