Undermount slide assembly

Abstract

An undermount slide assembly includes an outer slide segment, an intermediate slide segment and an inner slide segment. The outer slide segment has a web, a first flange and a second flange. The web defines an upper surface that is mountable to a first object. The intermediate slide segment has a web, a first flange and a second flange. The web is received within a space defined between the first and second flanges of the outer slide segment. At least portions of the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment extend below the first and second flanges of the outer slide segment. The web and the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment define a space therebetween. An inner slide segment is received within the space defined between the web and the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An undermount slide assembly, comprising:
 an inner slide segment having a web, a first flange and a second flange, wherein the web defines an upper surface that is mountable to a first object;   an intermediate slide segment having a web, a first flange and a second flange, wherein the web is received within a space defined between the first and second flanges of the inner slide segment, wherein at least portions of the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment extend below the first and second flanges of the inner slide segment, wherein the web and the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment define a space therebetween;   an outer slide segment received within the space defined between the web and the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment.   
     
     
         2 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer slide segment comprises a slide engagement portion that is generally or substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the space defined by the web and the first and second flanges of the intermediate slide segment is partially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising sets of bearings between one or more of the outer, intermediate and inner slide segments. 
     
     
         5 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 4 , wherein lateral bearings are provided between the inner and intermediate slide segments. 
     
     
         6 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 5 , wherein only lateral bearings are provided between the inner and intermediate slide segments. 
     
     
         7 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 4 , wherein an upper set of bearings is provided between the intermediate slide segment and the outer slide segment. 
     
     
         8 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 7 , wherein additionally lateral bearings are provided between the intermediate slide segment and the outer slide segment. 
     
     
         9 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer slide segment comprises a mounting portion. 
     
     
         10 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the mounting portion is L-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inner slide segment is a two-piece construction in which a first member that supports the first object is removable from a second member that is directly engaged with the intermediate slide segment. 
     
     
         12 . The undermount slide assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a lock arrangement that secures the first member relative to the second member and allows selective removal of the first member from the second member.