Low profile lock with front release for a drawer slide

In a drawer slide having first and second slide members, said first slide member defined by a first elongate body having a first web portion and first edge portions, said first edge portions longitudinally extending along said first web portion said first elongate body, and said second slide member defined by a second elongate body having a second web portion and second edge portions which longitudinally extend along said second web portion of second elongate body, wherein respective ones of said first and second edge portions are disposed for telescopically extending said first slide member relative to said second slide member, the improvement comprising:

• an aperture formed into said second web portion of said second slide member;
• a lock member having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, said first portion secured to said first web portion of said first slide member, said second portion extending from said first portion, away from said first slide member and toward said second slide member, with at least a portion of said second portion extending into said aperture, and said third portion extending from said second portion, away from said second slide member and toward said first slide member;
• and
• a release member having an elongate body slidably secured to said first slide member, said release member having a first window, a second window, and a cam portion adjacent said second window, said first window disposed for passing said second portion of said lock member through said elongate body of said release member, and said second window disposed for passing said third portion of said lock member through said elongate body of said release member, wherein said cam portion is disposed adjacent to said second window for pulling in a first direction to engage said third portion of said lock member and withdraw said second portion of said lock member from within said aperture.

A drawer slide comprising:

• a first slide member defined by a first elongate body having a first web portion and first edge portions, said first edge portions longitudinally extending on opposite sides of said first web portion;
• a second slide member defined by a second elongate body having a second web portion and second edge portions, said second edge portions longitudinally extending along said second web portion;
• wherein respective ones of said first and second member edges are fitted together in sliding relation for telescopically extending said first slide member relative to said second slide member;
• an aperture formed into a forward end of said second web portion of said second slide member, said aperture having an enlarged portion and an adjacent narrower portion disposed rearward of said enlarged portion;
• a lock member defined by an elongated, flat strip of spring steel having a rectangular shape defined by a forward portion and a central portion, and further having a tab which extends rearward of said central portion;
• said forward portion of said lock member having two mounting holes formed therein for rigidly securing said forward portion to said first web portion of said first slide member;
• said central portion of said lock member extending away from said first slide member and toward said second slide member and having an emboss formed therein, said emboss extending on a side of said central portion which is opposite from said first slide member and adjacent to said second slide member for engaging said aperture;
• said tab extending rearward of said central portion of said lock member, and fitting within said adjacent narrower portion of said aperture and extending from said central portion of said lock member toward said first slide member;
• and
• a release member having an elongate body slidably secured to said first slide member, said release member having a first window, a second window, and a cam portion disposed adjacent to said second window, said first window disposed for passing said central portion of said lock member through said elongate body of said release member, and said second window disposed for passing said tab of said lock member through said elongate body of said release member, wherein said cam portion is disposed adjacent to said second window for pulling in a forward direction to engage said tab and withdraw said ventral portion of said lock member from within said aperture.