Split lock arm for three-piece slide assembly

Abstract

A slide assembly including at least a first slide segment and a second slide segment. A bearing assembly is provided between the segments to facilitate sliding movement therebetween. A split lock arm attached to the first slide segment includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm has a notch, and the second arm has a notch and an angled portion. The notches receive and lock a stop of the second slide segment when the second slide segment is moved to a fully extended state relative to the first slide segment. The second slide segment is releasable from the fully extended state by actuating a spring-biased release member such that the release member engages the angled portion of the second arm. The release member is configured to bias the second arm such that the notch is moved out of alignment with the stop. Accordingly, retraction of the second slide within the first slide is permitted. Simultaneously, the notch on the first arm remains in alignment with the stop and prevents unintentional removal of the second slide segment from the first slide segment.

1 . A slide assembly, comprising: 
 a first segment;    a second segment telescopically engaged with said first segment;    a stop fixed for movement with said second segment, said stop defining a first stop surface and a second stop surface;    a controller comprising a first arm and a second arm, said first arm secured to said first segment at a first end and extending in a first direction to a second end, said first arm defining a first engagement surface configured to contact said first stop surface to inhibit further movement of said first slide segment relative to said second slide segment in said first direction, said second arm secured to said first segment at a first end and extending in said first direction to a second end, said second arm defining a second engagement surface configured to contact said second stop surface to inhibit further movement of said first slide segment relative to said second slide segment in said second direction.    
   
   
       2 . The slide assembly of  claim 1 , said second arm including a third engagement surface configured to contact said first stop surface and cooperate with said first engagement surface of said first arm to inhibit movement of said first slide segment relative to said second slide segment in said first direction.  
   
   
       3 . The slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second arm are interconnected by a base at said respective first ends.  
   
   
       4 . The slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second arms are constructed from a resilient material and said second ends thereof are biased, in a relaxed position of said arms, relatively closer to said second slide segment than said first ends.  
   
   
       5 . The slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said second arm includes a tab angled relative to a remainder of said second arm, said tab configured to contact said stop and bias said second arm toward said first slide segment to permit said second end of said second arm to pass over said stop.  
   
   
       6 . The slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a release actuator configured to move said second arm toward said first slide segment to release said second engagement surface from said second stop surface to permit said first slide segment to move in said second direction.  
   
   
       7 . The slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said release actuator is moveable along a longitudinal axis of said first slide segment.  
   
   
       8 . The slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a release actuator configured to move toward said first slide segment to release said first engagement surface from said first stop surface to permit said first slide segment to further move in said first direction.  
   
   
       9 . A slide assembly, comprising: 
 a first segment;    a second segment telescopically engaged with said first segment;    a stop fixed for movement with said second segment, said stop defining a first stop surface and a second stop surface;    a controller comprising a base, a first arm and a second arm, said base secured to said first segment and each of said first arm and said second arm integrally connected to said base and a first end and extending from said base to a second end, said first arm defining a first engagement surface configured to contact said first stop surface to inhibit further movement of said first slide segment relative to said second slide segment in a first direction, said second arm secured to said first segment at a first end and defining a second engagement surface configured to contact said second stop surface to inhibit further movement of said first slide segment relative to said second slide segment in a second direction, wherein said first and second arms do not overlap said base.    
   
   
       10 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first and second arms extend from said base in a same direction.  
   
   
       11 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first ends and said base are substantially coplanar.  
   
   
       12 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , said second arm including a third engagement surface configured to contact said first stop surface and cooperate with said first engagement surface of said first arm to inhibit movement of said first slide segment relative to said second slide segment in said first direction.  
   
   
       13 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first and second arm are interconnected by a base at said respective first ends.  
   
   
       14 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first and second arms are constructed from a resilient material and said second ends thereof are biased, in a relaxed position of said arms, relatively closer to said second slide segment than said first ends.  
   
   
       15 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said second arm includes a tab angled relative to a remainder of said second arm, said tab configured to contact said stop and bias said second arm toward said first slide segment to permit said second end of said second arm to pass over said stop.  
   
   
       16 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a release actuator configured to move said second arm toward said first slide segment to release said second engagement surface from said second stop surface to permit said first slide segment to move in said second direction.  
   
   
       17 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said release actuator is moveable along a longitudinal axis of said first slide segment.  
   
   
       18 . The slide assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a release actuator configured to move toward said first slide segment to release said first engagement surface from said first stop surface to permit said first slide segment to further move in said first direction.