Ball retainer forward locking assembly

A ball retainer forward locking assembly for preventing movement of a ball retainer with respect to a slide. A first portion of a friction locking mechanism on the slide is removably coupled with a second portion of the friction locking mechanism on the ball retainer. The friction locking mechanism is adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between the ball retainer and the slide such that movement of the ball retainer with respect to the slide is minimized.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present claimed invention relates to the field of slide assemblies. More specifically, the present claimed invention relates to a ball retainer forward locking slide assembly.

BACKGROUND ART

Presently, slide assemblies are utilized as the mounting hardware between a component and a rack within which the component may be stored. For example, if the component is an electronic component such as a server, then the use of a rack allows for a plurality of servers to be utilized with efficiency of storage, and convenience of accessibility. In many cases, the rack may have a back panel to which the electronic components can connect, thereby allowing the components to receive their power connections, network connections, phone connections, and the like.

In general, the use of slide assemblies allows for a simple way to hold a component or plurality of components within the rack which also offers convenient access. In a telescoping slide assembly, a ball retainer is used to ensure that when the innermost slide is removed the balls remain in place within the slide assembly. That is, the balls do not fall out of the slide when the inner member is removed.

However, one deleterious effect of quick disconnect telescoping slide assemblies is that while the inner slide is removed from the slide assembly, the ball retainer is allowed to travel freely, thereby requiring a technician to correctly position the ball retainer prior to the installation or re-installation of the inner slide and any component mounted thereon. For example, when a technician inserts the inner slide into the slide assembly mounted with the rack, before the roller balls within the slide assembly may properly work to support the inner slide and allow for easier movement, the ball retainer must be correctly positioned in the front portion of the slide assembly. In addition, while supporting the weight of the component, while ensuring that the slide assembly is aligning itself correctly within the rack, and while disengaging the locking mechanism, the technician must also ensure the ball retainer stays in its forward most position.

Thus, during the installation process more than one person is needed to ensure correct installation is accomplished with a minimization of damage. For example, during the installation of a component, one technician may be needed to support the weight of the component, correctly align the slide assembly, and insert the component into the rack, while a second technician may be needed to disengage the locking mechanism and ensure the ball retainer is in the correct position. Both technicians would need to work in conjunction in order not to damage the rack, the slide assembly, components already in the rack, and/or the component being placed in the rack.

Thus, the utilization of the ball retainer during the installation process is not user friendly, is time-consuming, is cost associative, and lacks a desired “Design for Usability.”

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

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.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference now toFIGS. 1A through 1C, perspective views of a slide portion of a ball retainer forward locking assembly are shown in accordance with embodiments of the present claimed invention. The following discussion will begin with a detailed description of the physical characteristics of the present ball retainer forward locking assembly. The discussion will then contain a detailed description of the use and operation of the present ball retainer forward locking assembly.

In one embodiment, the location of the first portion of a locking mechanism on slide (or slide portion)105may be a dimple such as dimple125or a detent such as detent175on lead-in110as shown as shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B. In another embodiment (e.g.,FIG. 1C), the location of the first portion of a locking mechanism on slide portion105may be a dimple (or detent)185in a location on slide portion105other than lead-in110.

With reference still toFIGS. 1A through 1C, regarding the physical structure of the lead-in of a ball retainer forward locking assembly, in one embodiment, slide portion105may be a middle portion of a telescoping disconnect slide. In another embodiment, slide portion105may be an outer portion of a telescoping disconnect slide. Moreover, slide portion105includes lead-in110(or lead-ins110). Importantly, as will be discussed in detail below, lead-ins110are further comprised of a first portion (e.g.,125and175) of a locking mechanism capable of reducing the motion of a ball retainer (e.g., ball retainer210ofFIGS. 2A through 2C). Furthermore, first portion (e.g.,125and175) may be formed during the manufacture of lead-ins110, or first portion (e.g.,125and175) may be formed on a pre-existing lead-in110. In one embodiment, lead-in110may be made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, plastic, steel, stainless steel, or combinations thereof.

Referring still toFIGS. 1A through 1C, first portion (e.g.,125and175) of lead-in110is a portion of a locking mechanism capable of reducing the motion of a ball retainer (e.g., ball retainer210ofFIGS. 2A through 2C). The locking mechanism is adapted to provide a removably coupled locking connection between lead-in110and the ball retainer (e.g., ball retainer210ofFIGS. 2A through 2C), which will be discussed in more detail herein. In one embodiment (e.g.,FIG. 1A), first portion125is a dimpled portion (e.g., a raised portion, lip, projection, prominence, or the like) integral with lead-in110and adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between lead-in110and the ball retainer. Although first portion125is shown as a circular dimpled portion inFIG. 1A, first portion125is also well suited to be formed in the shape of an oval, a square, a rectangle, or a randomly shaped dimpled portion. Furthermore, first portion125may be any sized protrusion from lead-in110that may be utilized in conjunction with the ball retainer (e.g., ball retainer210ofFIGS. 2A through 2C) to provide a removably coupled locking connection.

In another embodiment (e.g.,FIG. 1B), first portion175is a detent portion (e.g., a groove, divot, hole, dent, indentation, impression, concavity, or the like) integral with lead-in110and adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between lead-in110and the ball retainer. Although first portion175is shown as circular detent portion inFIG. 1B, first portion175is also well suited to be formed in the shape of an oval, a square, a rectangle, or a randomly shaped detent portion. Furthermore, first portion175may be any sized indention or hole within lead-in110that may be utilized in conjunction with the ball retainer (e.g., ball retainer210ofFIGS. 2A through 2C) to provide a removably coupled locking connection.

With reference still toFIGS. 1A through 1C, in one embodiment lead-in110is fixedly mounted in a desired position on slide105. For example, lead-in110may be molded with a push through tab, holes may then be punched through slide105, and then the push through tabs may be slid through the holes in slide105and swaged on the outside of the slide. In one embodiment, lead-ins110may have two tabs which are pushed through slide105and swaged on the outside. The push through tabs are employed to correctly position lead-ins110with respect to slide105, such that lead-ins110will maintain the desired position on slide105. Although two mounting methods are mentioned herein, it is appreciated that the mounting method may be any method (e.g., glue, end caps, or the like) which maintain the desired position of lead-ins110.

With reference now toFIGS. 2A through 2C, perspective views of a ball retainer portion of a ball retainer forward locking assembly are shown in accordance with embodiments of the present claimed invention. Regarding the physical structure of the ball retainer portion, for purposes of clarity, only one end of ball retainer portion (e.g.,210) is shown inFIGS. 2A through 2C. As will be discussed herein in detail, ball retainer210is comprised of ball220and, in one embodiment (e.g.,FIG. 2A), a second portion (e.g.,215) of the locking mechanism. In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2B, ball retainer210may comprise a slot portion260which adds flexibility to ball retainer210. Furthermore, ball retainer210may comprise a post slot portion270adapted to be removably coupled with lead-in110. Ball retainer210may be manufactured from material such as plastic, stainless steel, plated steel, and spring steel. Although plastic, stainless steel, plated steel, and spring steel are mentioned herein, ball retainer210may be made of any material capable of retaining a shape and managing the location of ball220.

With reference still toFIGS. 2A through 2C, the second portion of the locking mechanism (e.g.,215,250, or280) of ball retainer210may be either a detent portion or a dimple portion. For example,FIGS. 2A and 2Bshow a second portion (e.g.,215and250) integral with ball retainer210, adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between ball retainer210and lead-in110. Although second portions215and250are shown as circular detent portion, second portions215and250are also well suited to be an oval, square, rectangle, or randomly shaped detent portion. Furthermore, second portions215and250may be any sized indention or hole within ball retainer210that may be utilized in conjunction with the lead-in110to provide a removably coupled locking connection.

With reference now toFIG. 2C, the second portion of the locking mechanism (e.g.,280) of ball retainer210may be a dimpled portion integral with ball retainer210, adapted to provide a removably coupled friction lock between ball retainer210and lead-in110. Although second portion280is shown as circular dimpled portion inFIG. 2C, second portion280is also well suited to be an oval, square, rectangle, or randomly shaped dimpled portion. Furthermore, second portion280may be any sized protrusion from ball retainer210that may be utilized in conjunction with lead-in110to provide a removably coupled locking connection. For example, second portion280may be a ball which fits within the first portion of lead-in110.

With reference now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, perspective views of exemplary ball retainer forward locking assemblies are shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present claimed invention. In general,FIG. 3Aillustrates a removably coupled locking connection between lead-ins110and ball retainer210.FIG. 3Balso illustrates the removably coupled locking connection between lead-ins110and ball retainer210. However,FIG. 3Bfurther shows the insertion of inner slide member375into a telescoping disconnect slide assembly350. For example, during an initial coupling of inner slide member375with telescoping disconnect slide assembly350the removably coupled locking connection maintains ball retainer210at a front portion of telescoping disconnect slide assembly350. However, once inner slide member375engages with ball retainer210, the friction between the two components will result in the locking connection being disengaged, and ball retainer210and ball220thereon will move in conjunction with inner slide member375.

The following is a detailed description of the use and operation of the present one-motion installation slide assembly. With reference now toFIG. 3A, ball retainer210is removably coupled with lead-in110. In one embodiment, ball retainer210and lead-in110may be coupled with slide105which may be either the outer slide (or the middle slide if a third slide is utilized (e.g.,305)) of a telescoping disconnect slide assembly. It is appreciated that only a portion of slide105and ball retainer210are shown in the present embodiments. It is further appreciated that most slide105s will have the lead-ins110attached proximal to the end of the slide.

In one embodiment, slide assemblies300and350are utilized in conjunction with a rack and a component (e.g., a server) to be stored in the rack. For example, inner slide375ofFIG. 3Bmay be removably coupled with the component to be stored in the rack. That is, inner slide375may be coupled to the side of the component (or the top, or the corner, or the like). In addition, slide105may be coupled to the rack (via mounting slide105directly to the rack or by mounting third slide305to the rack and having slide105coupled therein). While inner slide375is apart from slide assemblies300and350, ball retainer210is held in a forward position via the removably coupled locking connection. For example, ball retainer210is held in the forward position due to a friction lock with lead-in110. Once inner slide375enters the rack and establishes contact with ball retainer210, ball retainer210is then decoupled from lead-in110due to the friction generated by the insertion of inner slide375into slide assembly300or350. Therefore, ball retainer210is free to travel in conjunction with inner slide375allowing the smoother motion thereof. Although the decoupling of ball retainer210from lead-in110is mentioned as being due to friction, the decoupling of the lock between lead-in110and ball retainer210may be due to direct contact, a catch, or the like.

Referring still toFIG. 3B, the present embodiment maintains the location of ball retainer210during the initial coupling of the inner slide375with slide105. Therefore, during the installation process (e.g., inner slide375into slide105), relocation of ball retainer210is not necessary. In addition, the present embodiment does not require a user or technician to manually set the removably coupled locking connection after the removal of inner slide375. Instead, the present embodiment allows customers and technicians to realize the beneficial assembly requirements of a ball retainer forward lock which automatically engages during removal of inner slide375.

With reference still toFIG. 3B, slide assembly350is shown upon initial installation of inner slide375, wherein the removably coupled locking connection between second portion215and ball retainer210is engaged. Specifically, ball retainer210is locked in a forward position. In one embodiment, ball retainer210is locked via a dimpled portion125of lead-in110, mating with a detent portion250of ball retainer210. For example, detent portion250slid over dimpled portion125and is then held in place by dimpled portion125. In one embodiment, slot260is utilized to give enough flex to post slot portion270to allow detent portion250to slide over dimpled portion125. In another embodiment, ball retainer210is locked via a detent portion125of lead-in110, mating with a dimpled portion250of ball retainer210. Although slot260is utilized in one embodiment, the present invention is well suited to a ball retainer such as ball retainer210which does not have a slot260.

Once inner slide portion375makes initial contact with ball retainer210, as stated herein, the removably coupled locking connection between ball retainer210and second portion215is released. For example, slot260allows detent portion250to pass over dimpled portion125. Therefore, ball retainer210slides freely along with inner slide375during the installation. When inner slide375begins to be removed from slide assembly350, ball retainer210slides freely toward the front of slide assembly350. When inner slide375is completely removed, detent portion250will slide over dimpled portion125and will be held in place by dimpled portion125. Therefore, ball retainer210will be locked in the correct location for the future insertion of an inner slide375. Furthermore, when a user or technician prepares to reinstall inner slide375, the relocation of ball retainer210is not necessary, nor is the need for anyone to maintain the forward location of ball retainer210during the installation process.

With reference now toFIG. 4, a flow chart400summarizing the steps performed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. At step402, the present embodiment utilizes a locking mechanism to provide a removably coupled locking connection between a ball retainer (e.g., ball retainer210ofFIG. 3B) and a lead-in (e.g., lead-in110ofFIG. 3B) such that while an inner slide member (e.g., inner slide375ofFIG. 3B) is removed, movement of the ball retainer with respect to the lead-in is minimized. As described in detail herein, the removably coupled locking connection (e.g. dimpled portion125and detent portion250) is adapted to maintain the location of the ball retainer such that during installation, a further step of monitoring and adjusting the location of the ball retainer is not required.

Next, at step404, the present embodiment releases the removably coupled locking connection during installation of an inner slide member. Beneficially, the present embodiment eliminates the need to manually release the locking mechanism between the ball retainer (e.g., ball retainer210ofFIG. 3B) and the lead-in (e.g., lead-in110ofFIG. 3B). Instead, the present embodiment allows slide assemblies to be assembled without concern for the subsequent unlocking of the connection between ball retainer210and lead-in110. Furthermore, with the ability to remove and mount both ball retainer210and lead-in110on pre-existing slide assemblies the need for replacement of slide assemblies already in use is negated.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a ball retainer forward locking assembly method and apparatus which maintains the ball retainer in a forward position during installation. The ball retainer forward locking assembly method and apparatus achieves the above accomplishment and also provides a reliable release mechanism for the ball retainer when the inner slide is being inserted into the slide assembly while also significantly reducing assembly procedures and personnel requirements. In addition, it can be adapted to readily interface with industry standard components and meet industry standard specifications.