Abstract: A telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected load-carrying, intermediate, and stationary slides. A post-locking latch is mounted to move relative to the load-carrying slide to control movement of a mounting post on a piece of equipment to be carried on the load-carrying slide into and out of a post-receiving slot formed in the load-carrying slide.

Abstract: A telescoping slide assembly (10) is provided for the mounting of an equipment mounting support and includes an elongated stationary slide member (20) having two ends and an elongated movable load-carrying slide member (24) having two ends. The load-carrying slide member (24) is telescopically connected to stationary slide member (20) so as to have one end of the load-carrying slide member extended away from one end of the stationary slide member in an extended position and the one end of the load-carrying slide member movable telescopically with respect to the stationary slide member to a retracted position wherein the one end of the load-carrying slide member is telescopically withdrawn into the stationary slide member so as to be located adjacent to the one end of the stationary slide member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a resultant output signal from at least two output signals generated by an encoder. The apparatus and methods include: (a) generating a first output signal from the encoder; (b) generating a second output signal from the encoder; (c) applying the first output signal to the second output signal to produce the resultant output signal, wherein the resultant output signal includes a resultant number of waveform cycles per mechanical cycle of the encoder, and wherein the resultant number of waveform cycles is determined by the waveform cycles of the first and second output signals. Another apparatus and method involves varying the output of at least one emitter in response to an output signal of the encoder, to generate a particular resultant or application signal. A further apparatus and method involves varying the output characteristic of at least one photo-detector in response to an output signal of the encoder, to generate a particular resultant or application signal.

Abstract: A telescoping slide assembly is provided for slidably carrying a load. The telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected load-carrying, intermediate, and stationary slide members movable relative to one another, a first slide lock arranged to couple the intermediate slide member to the load-carrying slide member, and a second slide lock arranged to couple the intermediate slide member to the load-carrying slide member. The second slide lock is spaced apart from the first slide lock. The telescoping slide assembly further includes a cam block positioned to engage the first slide block.

Abstract: An electrical generator has a plurality of C-shaped stator members which are made of magnetically permeable material. Each C-shaped stator member includes a respective stator winding, and the stator members are positioned such that the ends of the members form first and second planar rings of equal diameter to establish a gap therebetween. A flat, ring-shaped rotor defines a periphery, and a plurality of permanent magnets are positioned around the periphery. The rotor is positioned with the magnets of the rotor disposed in the gap defined by the stator members. Consequently, when the rotor is rotated by a prime mover to move the magnets through the gap, an electrical current is induced in the stator windings.

Abstract: Optical encoder apparatus and methods are provided for converting the cyclic motion of an electro-mechanical machine, such as an electric motor, into at least one electrical signal having a predetermined waveform. The apparatus may include at least one photo-detector which is responsive to at least one pattern of incident radiant energy. An optically programmed system is optically aligned with the detector, and configured to be actuated by the cyclic motion of the machine. The system modifies at least one pattern of incident radiant energy at the detector, in a plurality of directions, in accordance with an optical function which includes graphical function. The graphical function may be a transform of a waveform function. The system includes an optical element, such as an optical encoder disc, which contains at least one optically detectable graphical pattern. The system also includes a mask containing at least one aperture which permits a pattern of radiant energy to pass to the detector.

Abstract: A telescoping slide assembly includes a latch blade pivotably mounted on an intermediate slide member, a latching lip on a stationary slide member, and a cam on a load-carrying slide member. The latch blade engages the latching lip automatically to block movement of the intermediate slide member relative to the stationary slide member toward a fully retracted position. The cam on the stationary slide member engages and pivots the latch blade to a position disengaging the latching lip in response to movement of the load-carrying slide member relative to the intermediate and stationary slide members toward a fully retracted position so that the intermediate slide member is released from latching engagement with the stationary slide member and free to move toward its fully retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telescoping slide assemblies having interconnected slide members including a stationary slide member, a chassis slide member, and an intermediate slide member positioned therebetween, and particularly to mechanisms for governing movement of a chassis slide member in a telescoping slide assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to multiple telescoping slide assemblies coupled together in parallel spaced-apart relation by a fixture attached to their respective intermediate slide members.

Abstract: A bearing retainer assembly for use in a telescoping slide assembly exposed to shock or vibration. Advantageously, this improved retainer assembly is configured to include an innovative arrangement and placement of both steel and plastic ball bearings in a retainer so as to facilitate sliding movement of adjacent slide members in a telescoping slide assembly without suffering from unwanted friction and drag that might otherwise degrade the operability of a slide assembly containing a conventional ball bearing retainer assembly.

Abstract: A locking assembly, used for moving articles between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position, comprises, a stationary slide member, an intermediate slide member slideably connected to the stationary slide member, a load-carrying slide member slidably connected to the intermediate slide member for sliding movement relative to the intermediate slide member, and a locking lever rotatably coupled to the load-carrying slide member. The locking lever including an outer grip portion, and a locking portion for locking the load-carrying slide member to the stationary slide member to prevent relative movement between the load-carrying slide member and the stationary slide member when the assembly is fully retracted position, and a ramp portion for preventing the locking portion from locking the load-carrying slide member to the intermediate slide member in response to movement of the load-carrying slide member relative to the intermediate slide member.

Abstract: A telescoping slide assembly is provided for moving a load between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. The telescoping slide assembly includes a load-carrying slide member and an intermediate slide member and each slide member is formed to include a locking aperture. The telescoping slide assembly further includes means for locking the load-carrying and intermediate slide members to their fully retracted positions. The locking means includes a locking pin and means for yieldably biasing the locking pin to a slide-locking position passing through the locking aperture of each slide member when the slide members occupy their fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use in a telescoping slide assembly having at least two slide members that are slidably interconnected for movement along the longitudinal axis of the slide assembly, the roller assembly comprising a plurality of rollers for maintaining vertical spacing between the interconnected slide members, a spacer maintaining lateral spacing between the interconnected slide members, formed to include a first vertical side wall having a first opening, a second vertical side wall having a second opening, and a laterally extending open-ended aperture interconnection the first and second openings, the second means further including a bearing loosely received in the laterally extending open-ended aperture for lateral sliding movement relative to the spacer and arranged to extend through each of the first and second openings, and side walls for longitudinally aligning the plurality of rollers, positioned to lie adjacent to the rollers for longitudinally aligning the rollers so that the rollers roll along

Abstract: A telescoping platform assembly able to convert each unit of distance moved by a driver into two, four, or greater number of units of platform extension includes five or more interconnected slide members. The interconnected slide members are extended by operation of a powered driver coupled to the second slide member cooperating with first, second, and third cable and pulley mechanisms. The first cable and pulley mechanism couples the first, second, and third slide members together so that the third slide extends twice as far as the second slide member. The second cable and pulley mechanism couples the second, third, and fourth slide members together so that the fourth slide members extends three times as far as the second slide member. The third cable and pulley mechanism couples the third, fourth, and fifth slide members together so that the fifth slide member extends four times as far as the second slide member.

Abstract: A pivotable slide track assembly has a drawer support plate appended to the drawer and a drawer slide. A pivot guide plate is attached to the drawer slide and formed to define a guide path therein. A follower appended to the drawer support plate follows the guide path defined within the pivot guide plate whereby the drawer and drawer support plate pivot relative to the pivot guide plate in response to movement of the drawer relative to the drawer slide.

Abstract: A slide track assembly is provided for supporting movable drawers or the like in a cabinet. The slide track assembly includes a first slide track and a second slide track coupled to the first slide track for sliding movement thereon. A locking pin is mounted on the second slide track to project into the aperture formed in a flexible strip mounted on the first slide track upon alignment of the first and second slide tracks in a predetermined position. A button on the second slide track is movable against the flexible strip to urge the flexible strip out of locking engagement with the locking pin, thereby permitting relative movement of the first and second slide tracks.

Abstract: A telescoping slide assembly includes a lock release member slidably positioned between a drawer slide member and an intermediate slide member. In response to movement of the drawer slide member outward to its extended position, the lock release member moves to break a locking connection between a cabinet slide member and the intermediate slide member that prevents relative movement of the intermediate slide member and a cabinet slide member. Breaking the locking connection between the intermediate slide member and the cabinet slide member allows outward movement of the intermediate slide member. The lock release member is desirably a bearing retainer slidably coupled to the intermediate slide member and configured to slidably support the drawer slide member.

Abstract: A telescoping assembly includes a drawer slide member that is slidable toward its retracted position to unlock a trigger lever interconnecting intermediate and cabinet slide members, thereby permitting relative movement between the intermediate and cabinet slide members. Otherwise, the trigger lever acts to block rearward movement of the intermediate slide member toward its retracted position relative to the stationary cabinet member.

Abstract: A slide track assembly is provided for supporting movable drawers or the like in a cabinet. The slide track assembly includes a first slide track and a second slide track coupled to the first slide track for sliding movement thereon. A locking pin is mounted on the second slide track to project into the aperture formed in a flexible strip mounted on the first slide track upon alignment of the first and second slide tracks in a predetermined position. A button on the second slide track is movable against the flexible strip to urge the flexible strip out of locking engagement with the locking pin, thereby permitting relative movement of the first and second slide tracks.