US Patent 6883885 Front release for a slide assembly

A slide assembly is provided comprising a stationary slide segment, an intermediate slide segment, and a load-carrying slide segment. A bearing assembly is provided between the segments to reduce the friction therebetween. A lock arm extends from the load-carrying slide segment and is engageable with an engagement surface of the intermediate slide segment to limit movement of the load-carrying slide segment with respect to the intermediate slide segment when the load-carrying slide segment is fully extended. An elongated release member is slidably disposed within the channel of the load-carrying member, and as the release member is displaced inwardly, it depresses the lock arm thereby actuating the release mechanism by disengaging the lock arm from the engagement surface. The release mechanism remains actuated until the load-carrying slide segment is fully inserted into the intermediate slide member.