Latch for server slides

A method of operating a server slide, the method comprising:

• engaging a handle of a latch assembly in a first position, in which the latch assembly prevents telescopic movement of a first rail relative to a second rail in a first direction;
• sliding the handle from the first position to a second position, to disengage a latch of the latch assembly from a rotatable portion of a retention bearing, the retention bearing including a fixed portion that is circumferentially surrounded by the rotatable portion;
• and
• with the handle in the second position, pulling the handle of the latch assembly to move the server slide from a retracted position to an expanded position.

A latch assembly for telescoping engagement of a first rail and a second rail, the latch assembly including:

• a latch that includes a latch recess, the latch being biased toward a first latch position and secured to the first rail to be movable between the first latch position and a second latch position;
• and
• a retention bearing including a fixed portion secured to the second rail, and a rotatable portion circumferentially surrounding the fixed portion to be rotatable around the fixed portion;
• the latch, in the first latch position, being aligned to receive the rotatable portion into the latch recess to secure the first rail against telescoping movement relative to the second rail;
• the latch, in the second latch position, being aligned to clear the retention bearing to permit telescoping movement of the first rail relative to the second rail;
• and
• with the latch in the first latch position and the rotatable portion received into the latch recess, the rotatable portion being rotatable by the latch, to move the latch circumferentially around the retention bearing from the first latch position toward the second latch position.