Slide device with removable and lockable inner slide member

Abstract

A slide device includes an intermediate slide member ( 30 ), an inner slide member ( 20 ), and a latch ( 40 ). The intermediate slide member includes a stop ( 34 ) extending therefrom. The inner slide member is slidable within the intermediate slide member. The latch is attached to the inner slide member, and sandwiched between the intermediate slide member and the inner slide member. An elastic body ( 45 ) portion extends from the latch, and includes a first bent section ( 46 ) and a second bent section ( 48 ). The first bent section or the second bent section defines an aperture ( 47 ). When the inner slide member is slid into and out from the intermediate slide member, the stop rides along the elastic body portion of the latch, and snappingly engages in the aperture to lock the inner slide member to the intermediate slide member.

1 . A slide device for sliding a container into and out from an opening of a case, the slide device comprising: 
 an outer slide member attached to an inside face of the container at the opening;    an intermediate slide member being slidable within the outer slide member, a stop extending from near an end of the intermediate slide member;    an inner slide member mounted to a lateral side of the container, the inner slide member being slidable within the intermediate slide member; and    a latch having one end attached to the inner slide member, and sandwiched between the intermediate slide member and the inner slide member, an elastic body portion extending from said one end of the latch, the elastic body portion comprising a first bent section extending slantwise toward the intermediate slide member and a second bent section extending slantwise toward the inner slide member, the first bent section or the second bent section defining an aperture corresponding to the stop of the intermediate slide member;    wherein when the inner slide member is slid into and out from the intermediate slide member, the stop of the intermediate slide member rides along the elastic body portion of the latch, and causes the latch to deform toward the inner slide member, and when the stop reaches the aperture of the elastic body portion, it snappingly engages in the aperture to lock the inner slide member to the intermediate slide member.    
   
   
       2 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said one end of the latch comprises a head secured to the inner slide member, and a neck connecting the first bent section of the elastic body portion to the head, the neck extending slightly slantwise from the head.  
   
   
       3 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the head is generally planar and defines at least a cutout therein.  
   
   
       4 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the inner slide member comprises at least a tab extending therefrom corresponding to the cutout of the head of the latch, said tab extending through said cutout to attach the latch to the inner slide member.  
   
   
       5 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the neck of the latch has a narrowed width for facilitating elastic deformation of the elastic body portion.  
   
   
       6 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elastic body portion further comprises an end section extending from the second bent section toward the inner slide member.  
   
   
       7 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the aperture is defined in the first bent section near the second bent section.  
   
   
       8 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the aperture is defined in the second bent section near the first bent section.  
   
   
       9 . A slide device comprising: 
 an outer slide member;    an intermediate slide member being slidable within the outer slide member;    an inner slide member being slidable within the intermediate slide member;    a latch having one end attached to the inner slide member, and sandwiched between the intermediate slide member and the inner slide member, an elastic body portion cantileveringly extending from the head, the elastic body portion comprising a first bent section extending slantwise toward the intermediate slide member and a second bent section extending slantwise toward the inner slide member, one of the first bent section and the second bent section defining an aperture; and    stop means extending from the intermediate slide member toward the inner slide member near an end of the intermediate slide member, the stop means riding along the elastic body portion of the latch and snappingly engaging in the aperture to lock the inner slide member to the intermediate slide member.    
   
   
       10 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the latch further comprises a neck connecting the first bent section of the elastic body portion to the head, the neck extending slightly slantwise from the head.  
   
   
       11 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the head is generally planar and defines at least a cutout therein.  
   
   
       12 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the inner slide member comprises at least a tab extending therefrom corresponding to the cutout of the head of the latch, said tab extending through said cutout to attach the latch to the inner slide member.  
   
   
       13 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the neck of the latch has a narrowed width for facilitating elastic deformation of the elastic body portion.  
   
   
       14 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the elastic body portion further comprises an end section extending from the second bent section toward the inner slide member.  
   
   
       15 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the aperture is defined in the first bent section near the second bent section.  
   
   
       16 . The slide device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the aperture is defined in the second bent section near the first bent section.  
   
   
       17 . A slide device assembly comprising: 
 a first slide member extending along a lengthwise direction;    a second slide member extending along said lengthwise direction and mounted to a casing and being slidable within the first slide member along said lengthwise direction;    a latch extending along said lengthwise direciton and having one end attached to the second slide member, said latch located between the first slide member and the second slide member, said latch including an elastic body portion defining a bulged configuration toward said first slide member; and    a locking protrusion extending from one of said first slide member and said second slide member to the other of said first side member and said second slide member, and a locking aperture formed in the other of said first member and said second slide member for latchable engagement with the locking protrusion; wherein    said elastic body portion is deflectable toward the second slide member for unlocking the locking protrusion from the locking aperture, if a force is applied in a lateral directin perperdicualr to the lengthwise direction.    
   
   
       18 . The slide device assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said latch is fully received in the first slide member when the second slide member is received in the first slide member.