Abstract:
A jacket for a lock latch, a lock latch incorporating such a jacket that allows a second slide member of a slide to engage and couple a first slide member of the slide without requiring manual manipulation of the lock latch, and a slide incorporating the same are provided. The jacket is slidably coupled to the lock latch which is coupled to the second slide member and is slidably moveable between a first position and a second position along the lock latch. When the second slide member is retracted relative to the first slide member during coupling of the second slide member to the first slide member, the jacket moves to the first position preventing the lock latch from interlockingly coupling with the first slide member. When the second slide member is extended relative to the first slide member, the jacket moves to a second position allowing for the interlocking coupling of the lock latch with the first slide member.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and is based on Provisional Application Serial No. 60/313,275 filed on Aug. 17, 2001, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a lock latch for preventing the disengagement of one slide member from another. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a jacket for a lock latch, a lock latch incorporating such a jacket that allows one slide member to engage and couple to another slide member without requiring manual manipulation of the lock latch, and to a slide incorporating the same.  
           [0003]    Slides which are used to slidably couple drawers to a cabinet or desk, consist of two or more members, a stationary member and at least one telescoping member. The stationary member is typically mounted in the cabinet or desk, while the telescoping member is connected to the drawer. Two slides are typically used to couple the drawer to the cabinet or desk, one on either side of the drawer.  
           [0004]    A three member slide has an intermediate telescoping member slidably engaged by means of ball bearings fitted in bearing retainers with the stationary member and another telescoping member to enable longer drawer extensions. In a two member slide, the telescoping member is coupled to the stationary member by means of ball bearings fitted in a bearing retainer. The ball bearings ride on bearing raceways formed on each slide member.  
           [0005]    To allow for the drawer to easily disconnect from the cabinet or desk, the telescoping members of the slide are made so that they can easily disconnect from the slide. Typically, it is the telescoping member connected to the drawer that is made to easily disconnect from the slide. A lock latch is typically mounted on the telescoping member. The latch engages an end of the slide member coupled to the telescoping member. To disconnect the telescoping member from the slide, i.e., to disconnect the drawer from the cabinet or desk, the latch on each slide telescoping member on either side of the drawer is pushed in while the drawer is pulled open, releasing the telescoping members from the remaining members of the slides. Similarly, to reconnect the telescoping member to the slide, the lock latch must be pushed in to allow the telescoping member to slide within the appropriate member of the slide. This makes reconnection of the telescopic member when mounting a drawer to a cabinet difficult. As such, a lock latch is desired that allows the telescoping member of a slide to be inserted into and coupled to the slide without requiring manual manipulation of the lock latch.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    A jacket for a lock latch, a lock latch incorporating such a jacket that allows a second slide member of a slide to engage and couple a first slide member of the slide without requiring manual manipulation of the lock latch, and to a slide incorporating the same are provided. The jacket is slidably coupled to the lock latch coupled to the second slide member and is slidably moveable between a first position and a second position along the lock latch. When the second slide member is retracted relative to the first slide member during coupling of the second slide member to the first slide member, the jacket moves to the first position preventing the lock latch from interlockingly coupling with the first slide member. When the second slide member is extended relative to the first slide member, the jacket moves to a second position allowing for the interlocking coupling of the lock latch with the first slide member.  
           [0007]    In one exemplary embodiment, the first slide member has at least one protrusion and the lock latch includes at least one cut out. With this exemplary embodiment, the lock latch interlockingly couples with the first slide member when at least one protrusion of the first slide member penetrates the at least one cut out of the lock latch. When in the first position, the jacket blocks the at least one cut out preventing penetration of the cut out by the at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion engages the jacket to move it to the first position when the second slide member is retracted relative to the first slide member during coupling of the second slide member to the first slide member, and the at least one protrusion engages the jacket to move it to the second position when the second slide member is extended relative to the first slide member.  
           [0008]    In another exemplary embodiment, the lock latch has a protrusion and the first slide member has a depression, as for example and opening. With this exemplary embodiment, when the jacket is in the second position the protrusion is allowed to penetrate the depression for interlockingly coupling the lock latch to the first slide member.  
           [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment, the jacket has a first surface opposite a second surface sandwiching the lock latch. In another exemplary embodiment, the jacket is integrally formed as a unit. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective and top views, respectively of a slide incorporating an exemplary embodiment lock latch jacket of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows  2 - 2  of the slide shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 3A and 3B are an end view and a bottom view, respectively of the intermediate member of the slide shown in FIG. 1A.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 4A, 4B,  4 C and  4 D are perspective, top, end and side views, respectively of a guide block incorporated in the slide shown in FIG. 1A.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is an end view of the slide shown in FIG. 1A.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 6A, 6B and  6 C are top, side and end views, respectively of an exemplary embodiment lock latch of the present invention without incorporating a jacket.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lock latch shown in FIG. 6A attached to a slide member web.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 8A, 8B,  8 C,  8 D and  8 E are top, cross-sectional, perspective, end, and side views, respectively of an exemplary embodiment lock latch jacket of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a guide tab of an exemplary embodiment lock latch of the present invention incorporated an exemplary embodiment jacket of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 10A, 10B,  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E depicts five different lock latch/slide arrangements, respectively forming five different lock latch mechanisms incorporating lock latch jackets of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a lock latch having a bent tip.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a lock latch having a flat tip. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]    The inventive jacket or lock latch with jacket can be incorporated in any multiple member slide as for example, a two member slide or a three member slide. With a two member slide, the lock latch with jacket will be incorporated in one of the two slides members. With a multiple member slide the lock latch with jacket will preferably be fitted in the slide member that needs to be disconnected from the slide. For descriptive purposes, the present invention is described in conjunction with a three member slide.  
         [0023]    A typical three member slide  10  comprises an inner telescoping member  12  slidably coupled to an intermediate telescoping member  14  which is slidably coupled to an outer stationary member  16  (FIGS. 1A and 2). The outer member is channel shaped in cross section, i.e., it defines a channel  18 , having web  20  and two legs  22  extending transversely from opposite ends of the web. An inner bearing raceway  26  is defined on each leg  22 . The intermediate slide member  14 , also generally channel shaped in cross-section, is slidably coupled within the outer member  16 .  
         [0024]    In cross-section, the intermediate member also comprises a web  28  and two legs  30  extending from opposite ends of the web. Each of the legs defines an inner raceway  32  and an outer raceway  34 . A central portion of the intermediate member web  28  may define a longitudinal depression  35 . The intermediate member is slidably coupled within the outer member with their “channels” facing in the same direction. Ball bearings  36  are sandwiched between the inner bearing raceways  26  of the outer member and the outer bearing raceways  34  of the intermediate member. The ball bearing are typically coupled to an outer ball bearing retainer  37 .  
         [0025]    The inner member is also channel shaped in cross-section comprising a web  38  having two legs  40  extending from opposite ends of the web. A concavity is formed on the outer surface of each leg defining an outer bearing raceway  42 . The inner member is slidably coupled to the intermediate member with the channel of the inner member facing the channel of the intermediate member. In other words, the legs of the inner member extend from the web  38  of the inner member toward the web  28  of the intermediate member. Ball bearings  44  are sandwiched between the outer bearing raceways  42  of the inner member and the inner bearing raceways  32  of the intermediate member. The ball bearing are typically coupled to an inner ball bearing retainer  45 . Each slide member is typically formed from a single piece of material.  
         [0026]    A guide block  70  as for example the guide block shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B,  4 C and  4 D, is inserted into the raceways of the intermediate member proximate the end  61  of the intermediate member from which the inner member extends, as for example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The guide block comprises two spaced apart legs  72  and a web  74  formed there between such that each leg extends both longitudinally and laterally from the web  74 . In an exemplary embodiment, the guide block web  74  is complementary in cross-section to the web  28  of the intermediate member and as such also defines a depression  76  complementary to the depression  35  defined on the web  28  of the intermediate slide member. An opening  78  if formed transversely across the web  28  of the intermediate member to accommodate the web  74  of the guide block (FIGS. 1A and 1B). As can be seen in FIG. 4D, the web  74  of the guide block extends below the legs  72  of the guide block. In this regard, the web  74  can be accommodated in opening  78  while the legs  72  can be accommodated within the channel of the intermediate member.  
         [0027]    Each guide block leg outer surface comprises an outer portion  80  and an inner portion  83 . The outer portion  80  of the outer surface of each leg  72  of the guide block is complementary to an inner bearing raceway  32  of the intermediate member. A first section  82  of the outer surface inner portion  83  of each leg opposite the outer portion  80  of each leg is complementary to the outer bearing raceway  42  of the inner member. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the complementary section  82  of the inner portion of the outer surface of each leg does not extend to the end  85  of the leg furthest from the guide block web  74 . A relatively flat outer surface inner portion second section  87  extends from the first section  82  to the end of each leg  72 . In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the first section of the outer surface inner portion may span the length of the guide block leg. A lip  84  extends inwardly from each leg  72  of the guide block. A surface  86  of each lip faces in the direction of the legs of the guide block and is generally parallel to a first surface  75  of the guide block web  74 .  
         [0028]    The guide block is fitted in the end portion of the intermediate member, such that the outer surface portions  80  of the block legs are accommodated by the intermediate member inner bearing raceways while the block web is accommodated in the intermediate member web opening  78 , as for example shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and  5 . When mounted on the intermediate member, the guide block lip portion surfaces  86  extend to a level above the web of the intermediate member that is equal or greater in height than the level  87  of the bearing retainer  45  sections  114  (FIG. 2). A slot  98  is defined between the inner portion second section  87  of the outer surface of each leg of the guide block and a second set lance tab  64 . These slots serve to guide the legs of the inner member when the inner member is being reconnected to the intermediate slide member.  
         [0029]    A lock latch mechanism is formed on the intermediate and inner slides to allow the inner slide to disconnect and reconnect to the intermediate slide. An exemplary embodiment lock latch mechanism includes a cut out  60  and a lock latch  99 . The cut out  60  is formed at and end portion of the web of the intermediate member web  28  and extends to the end  61  of the intermediate member from which the inner member extends. Two set of lance tabs are formed along the sides of the cut out. The first set of lance tabs comprises two tabs  62  located opposite each other and extend from opposite edges of the cut out toward the inner slide member. The second set comprises two lance tabs  64  located opposite each other extending from opposite edges of the cut out. The second set of lance tabs are located at the end of the cut out at the end  61  of the intermediate member and are spaced apart further than the first set of lance tabs, i.e., the spacing  66  between the two second set tabs  64  is greater than the spacing  68  between the two first set tabs  62 . The first set of lance tabs is furthest from the end  61  of the intermediate member from which the inner member  14  extends than the second set of lance tabs.  
         [0030]    A spring tab forming the lock latch  99  is attached to the web  38  within the legs  40  of the inner member  12 . An exemplary lock latch as shown in FIG. 6A has a first portion  100  which is attached to the inner member web  38  as shown in FIG. 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the first portion is formed with an end cut out  101  and a slot  103  for accommodating tabs for clamping the latch first portion to the inner member web. A first tab  105  cut from the inner member web  38  penetrates the end cut out  101  and is bent over the first portion clamping the first portion against the inner member web. A second tab  107  cut from the inner member web penetrates the slot  103  and is bent over the first portion clamping the first portion against the inner member web. Other methods, well known in the art may also be used to attach the first portion of the lock latch to the inner member web.  
         [0031]    A second portion  102  of the inner member web from the inner member web. The second portion comprises a body portion  104  which narrows to a neck portion  106  which widens to a head portion  108 . The neck portion is relatively centered along the width of the body and head portion defining cut outs  234  on either side thereof. The tip end  110  of the head portion is bent toward the web of the inner member and a slot  112  is formed through the inner member web to accommodate the bent tip portion when the lock latch is pushed again the inner member web (FIGS. 6B and 7). A narrower fourth portion  130  may interconnect the first and second portions as for example shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and  7 . In the exemplary embodiment, the second portion is angled so that the second portion extends relative to the first portion at the angle  109 . In the exemplary embodiment, the entire lock latch is integrally formed from a single sheet of material which provides the lock latch with spring like characteristics such that when the second portion is pushed toward the inner member web, the second member will spring back to its original bent position relative to the first portion, once the force pushing it is removed.  
         [0032]    In the exemplary embodiment, an end section  122  of the body portion  104  of the lock latch adjacent to the neck portion  106  is narrowed such that its width  216  smaller is than the width  218  of the remaining body portion and head portion but greater than the width  212  of the neck portion  106 . Consequently, shoulders  124  are formed on the body portion adjacent the end section  122 . Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, a central portion  126  of the end section  122  is raised relative to the end section.  
         [0033]    A jacket  200  (FIGS. 8A, 8B,  8 C,  8 D and  8 E) is fitted in sliding surrounding relationship to the neck portion  106  of the lock latch as for example shown in FIG. 9. In the exemplary embodiment, the jacket  200  comprises a first panel  202  having a cut out  204  extending to an end  206  of the first panel. Opposite side ends of the first panel are folded defining two second panels  208  spaced apart from each other and opposite the first panel  202  and defining two opposite sides  209 . In the exemplary embodiment, the spacing  210  (FIG. 8D) between the two second panel ends  205  is smaller than the width  212  of the lock latch neck portion  106  and smaller than the width  216  of the end section  122  of the body portion of the lock latch (FIG. 6A). Furthermore, the distance  214  (FIG. 8D) between the inner surface of the two sides  209  is greater than the width  216  of the end section  122  of the body portion of the lock latch and smaller than the width  218  of the body portion  104  and head portion  108  of the lock latch (FIG. 6A). An end web  220  is defined between each second panel and the first panel of the jacket as for example shown in FIG. 8C. The length  222  of the jacket is at least as great as the length  224  of the neck portion  106  of the lock latch.  
         [0034]    The jacket is preferably made from a flexible material as for example, a plastic material. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8A, the jacket is injection molded form a plastic material. Due to its flexibility, the jacket can be easily slipped over the neck portion  106  of the lock latch and slid over the end section of the body portion of the lock latch. By slightly flexing the jacket about a longitudinal axis, the distance  210  between the ends  205  of the second panels can be increased to be greater than the width  212  of the neck portion of the lock latch. In this regard, the neck portion can fit between the spacing  210  defined between ends of the second panel. The jacket is then pushed such that side edges  230  of the end section  122  of the body portion of the lock latch slide between the second panels and the first panel of the jacket. To facilitate the sliding, the corners of the end section of the body portion approximate the neck portion maybe rounded, as for example shown by dash lines  232  in FIG. 6A.  
         [0035]    Once installed, the jacket can slide over the end section of the body portion until the end  206  of the jacket strikes the shoulders  124  defined on the body portion. When that occurs, the jacket cut out  204  accommodates the raised portion  126  of the lock latch end section. The raised central portion may also serve to limit the slidable movement of the jacket relative to the lock latch. When mounted on the lock latch, the jacket can move from a position occupying the length  126  of the cut outs  234  defining the neck portion, to a position over the end section of the body portion exposing the cut outs  234  defining the neck portion. The width  236  of the jacket as shown in FIG. 8A should be smaller than the distance  66  between the second set lance tabs  64  and greater than the distance  68  between the first set lance tabs  62 .  
         [0036]    To connect the inner member to the intermediate member, the leg portions of the inner member are slid within the slots  98  defined between the outer surface inner portion second sections of the guide block and the second set lance tabs  64  (FIG. 3A). As the legs of the inner member are pushed further toward the intermediate member, the inner member outer bearing raceways  42  move over the guide block outer surfaces coupling the inner member to the intermediate member. As the inner member is further slid over the intermediate member, the edges  116  of the legs of the inner member move over their corresponding guide block lip surfaces  86 . As the inner member is further moved in the direction toward the intermediate member, the member legs continue to slide along the guide block legs inner surface and lip portions and are guided by the lip to retainer  45 . Because the lip portions of the guide block legs extend to a level as high or higher than that of the retainer section  114  in relation to the intermediate member web, the guide block lip portions prevent the legs of the inner member from striking the end edges of the bearing retainer  45 . As the inner member is further slid toward the intermediate member, it moves the jacket within the space defined between the second set lance tabs  64  (FIG. 1A). As the inner member is further slid toward the intermediate member, the ends  235  of the first set lance tabs  62  strike the edges  236  of the second panels of the jacket, causing the jacket to slide over the neck portion  106  so as to cover the cut outs  234  defining the neck portion. As the inner slide member is moved further toward the intermediate member, the first set lance tabs  62  continue to apply a force against the edges  236  of the jacket while the edges  118  of the head portion adjacent to the neck of the lock latch, prevent movement of the jacket. When this occurs, the force applied by the first set lance tabs, causes the latch to move toward the inner member web, i.e., to flex generating a spring force and allowing the inner member and lock latch to move past the first set lance tabs and the lance tabs to ride on the jacket and head portions of the lock latch. When this occurs, the jacket prevents the first set lance tabs from penetrating the cut outs  234  defining the neck portion of the lock latch and thus, prevents the first set lance tabs from engaging the edges  118  of the lock latch head portion. Consequently, the lock latch does not have to be manipulated for allowing complete re-connection of the inner member with the intermittent member. When the inner member is slid within the intermediate member, the web of the intermediate member pushes the lock latch toward the inner member web member generating a force tending to urge the lock latch toward the intermediate member web. Furthermore, the raised portion  126  of the lock latch rides against the ball retainer  45  when the inner member is connected to the intermediate member, spacing the jacket from the ball retainer  45 . In this regard, the jacket does not contact the intermediate member or the ball retainer, consequently, preventing wear on the jacket when the inner member slides relative to the outer member.  
         [0037]    When extending, the inner slide member relative to the intermediate member, the first set lance tabs  62  engage the edge  242  of the jacket first panel opposite the edges  236  causing the jacket to slide over the lock latch body portion end section until movement of the jacket stops against the shoulders  124 . When that occurs, the cut outs  234  defining the neck portion are exposed. The spring force generated by the flexed lock latch causes the latch to spring away from the inner member web causing the first set lance tabs to penetrate the cut outs and straddle the neck portion  106  of the lock latch thereby, preventing the disengagement of the inner member from the intermediate member. To further disengage the inner member from the intermediate member, the lock latch has to be pushed toward the inner member web thereby unstraddling the neck portion of the lock latch and allowing the lock latch and inner member to move past the first set lance tabs.  
         [0038]    The jacket of the present invention can be made to be used with various different types of lock latches which are used as part of different lock latch mechanisms as for example mechanisms  290 ,  292 ,  294 ,  296 , and  298  shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B,  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E, respectively. For example, a jacket can be incorporated into lock latches  300 ,  302 ,  304 ,  306  and  308  shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B,  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E, respectively for preventing engagement of such lock latches with another slide member forming the lock latch mechanism when the slide incorporating the lock latch is reconnected to such slide member. For example, lock latches jackets  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  and  318  can be used with latches  300 ,  302 ,  304 ,  306  and  308  respectively for preventing the lock latches from engaging various protrusions or openings in a slide member forming the lock latch mechanism in combination with these lock latches. For example, jacket  310  can move into position blocking opening  330  formed on lock latch  300  and thereby preventing the opening from being engaged by the protrusion  320  formed on slide member  321  when a slide incorporating the lock latch is being reconnected to slide member  321  having the protrusion  320 . Similarly, jacket  312  can move into position surrounding protrusion  334  of lock latch  302  so as to prevent protrusion  334  from penetrating opening  322  in the slide member  323 . For example, jacket  314  can move over cut outs  336  of the lock latch  304  for preventing the lance tabs  324  of slide member  325  from penetrating such cut outs. Similarly, jacket  316  can move into position covering opening  338  formed on the lock latch  306  for preventing lance tabs  326  of the slide member  327  from penetrating the opening  338 . Furthermore, jacket  318 , can move into position blocking opening  340  formed on the lock latch  308  for preventing pin  328  extending from the slide member  329  from penetrating opening  340 .  
         [0039]    Moreover, the lock latch may have a bent tip  110  as for example shown in FIG. 11A or a flat tip  410  as shown in FIG. 11B. If the lock latch is a flat tip, then the opening  112  on the web of the slide member incorporating the lock latch for accommodating the bent tip, is not necessary.  
         [0040]    Although the present invention has been described and illustrated to respect to multiple embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited, since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.