Ball retainer forward locking assembly

Abstract

A ball retainer forward locking assembly for preventing movement of a ball retainer with respect to a slide is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a slide having a first portion of a locking mechanism. A second portion of the locking mechanism includes a ball retainer. The locking mechanism is adapted to provide a removably coupled locking connection between the ball retainer and the slide such that movement of the ball retainer with respect to the slide is minimized.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A slide assembly, comprising 
 a first slide having a front end and a rear end;    an inner slide which is removable from said front end of said first slide;    a ball retainer adapted to assist sliding movement of said inner slide, wherein said ball retainer is movable along said first slide and said ball retainer defines a catch engagement surface;    a catch locking mechanism coupled with said first slide, wherein if said inner slide is removed from said first slide, then said catch locking mechanism inhibits rearward movement of said ball retainer by removably coupling with said catch engagement surface.    
   
   
       22 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said catch engagement surface comprises a detent portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       23 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said catch locking mechanism comprises a detent portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       24 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said catch engagement surface comprises a raised portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       25 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said catch locking mechanism comprises a raised portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       26 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said catch engagement surface comprises a groove portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       27 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said catch locking mechanism comprises a groove portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       28 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said catch engagement surface comprises a dimpled portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       29 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said catch locking mechanism comprises a dimpled portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       30 . The slide assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said inner slide and said ball retainer are components of a telescoping disconnect slide.  
   
   
       31 . A slide assembly, comprising: 
 a slide segment having a forward end and defining a channel;    a catch engagement mechanism integral with said slide segment;    a ball retainer configured to facilitate sliding movement of an inner slide segment relative to said slide segment, wherein said ball retainer is movable within said channel toward said forward end of said slide segment along with movement of said inner slide segment toward an extended position;    a catch for inhibiting rearward movement of said ball retainer, wherein said catch is integral to said ball retainer and configured to provide a removable engagement with said catch engagement mechanism.    
   
   
       32 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said catch comprises a detent portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       33 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said catch locking mechanism comprises a detent portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       34 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said catch comprises a raised portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       35 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said catch locking mechanism comprises a raised portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       36 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said catch comprises a groove portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       37 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said catch locking mechanism comprises a groove portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       38 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said catch comprises a dimpled portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       39 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said catch locking mechanism comprises a dimpled portion adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between said first slide and said ball retainer.  
   
   
       40 . The slide assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said inner slide and said ball retainer are components of a telescoping disconnect slide.  
   
   
       41 . A slide assembly, comprising: 
 a first slide segment having a forward end, a rearward end, and defining a channel;    a catch receiving portion integral with said first slide segment;    a second slide segment movable within said channel from a retracted position to an extended position relative to said first slide segment, said second slide segment being removable from said forward end of said first slide segment;    a bearing assembly configured to facilitate sliding movement of said second slide segment relative to said first slide segment, said bearing assembly comprising a plurality of ball bearings and a ball retainer, said bearing assembly being movable within said channel toward said forward end of said first slide segment along with movement of said second slide segment toward said extended position;    a catch integral with said ball retainer, wherein said catch is adapted to provide a removably coupled lock between said ball retainer and said first slide segment    
   
   
       42 . A ball retainer forward locking assembly, comprising: 
 a slide having a first portion of a locking mechanism, wherein said first portion of said locking mechanism comprises a catch integral with said slide, said catch adapted to provide a removably coupled lock between said slide and said ball retainer; and    a ball retainer having a second portion of said locking mechanism, wherein said second portion of said locking mechanism comprises a catch receiving portion integral with said ball retainer, said catch receiving portion adapted to provide a removably coupled lock between sad slide and said ball retainer, said locking mechanism adapted to provide a removably coupled locking connection between the ball retainer and said slide such that movement of said ball retainer with respect to said slide is minimized.    
   
   
       43 . A slide assembly, comprising: 
 a first slide segment;    a catch lock mechanism comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion is coupled with said first slide segment;    a second slide segment movable within said first slide segment;    a ball retainer segment disposed to assist movement of said second slide segment relative to said first slide segment, wherein said ball retainer segment is movable within said first slide segment, wherein said ball retainer segment comprises said second portion, and wherein said second portion is adapted to provide a removably coupled lock between said ball retainer segment and said first slide segment.