Adjustable reinforcing bracket for telescoping slide rail assembly

Abstract

A telescoping slide rail assembly includes a stationary slide rail including a wall having an outer surface, the stationary slide rail adapted for engaging a pair of uprights in a rack at opposing ends of the stationary slide rail wall. The telescoping slide rail assembly further includes a mounting slide rail operatively coupled to the stationary slide rail so that the mounting slide rail is movable relative to the stationary slide rail between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. A reinforcing element is connected to the outer surface of the wall, and a mounting element adapted for operative coupling with one of the uprights of the rack that is operatively coupled to the reinforcing element for movement between a first operative position and a second operative position.

1 . A telescoping slide rail assembly comprising: 
 a stationary slide rail including a wall having an outer surface, the stationary slide rail adapted for engaging a pair of uprights in a rack at opposing ends of the stationary slide rail wall;    a mounting slide rail operatively coupled to the stationary slide rail so that the mounting slide rail is movable relative to the stationary slide rail between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position;    a reinforcing element connected to the outer surface of the wall; and    a mounting element adapted for operative coupling with one of the uprights of the rack that is operatively coupled to the reinforcing element for movement between a first operative position and a second operative position.    
   
   
       2 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing element includes a base and a pair of oppositely extending arms.  
   
   
       3 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the pair of oppositely extending arms are disposed coplanar and offset from the base and the wall.  
   
   
       4 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing element includes a first end, an opposing second end and a stop disposed at the first end.  
   
   
       5 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the mounting element includes a tab disposed at a first end and a shoulder disposed at a second end.  
   
   
       6 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first operative position is defined when a tab disposed on a first end of the mounting element is contiguous with a stop disposed at a first end of the reinforcing element.  
   
   
       7 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second operative position is defined when a shoulder disposed at a second end of the mounting element is contiguous with a second end of the reinforcing element.  
   
   
       8 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting element includes a pair of opposing channels that engage a pair of opposing arms of the reinforcing element.  
   
   
       9 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing element is disposed generally intermediate between the opposing ends of the stationary slide rail.  
   
   
       10 . A telescoping slide rail assembly configurable for connection to a pair of uprights in one of a first rack and a second rack, the telescoping slide rail assembly comprising: 
 a stationary slide rail including a wall and opposing first and second ends;    a mounting slide rail operatively coupled to the stationary slide rail so that the mounting slide rail is movable relative to the stationary slide rail between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position;    a reinforcing element connected to the wall along an outer surface of the wall;    a first mounting element operatively coupled to the reinforcing element for movement between a first operative position and a second operative position including a first flange to facilitate connection with one of the pair of uprights of one of the first and second racks; and    a second mounting element connected to the second end of the stationary slide rail including a second flange to facilitate connection with one of the pair of uprights of one of the first and second racks, whereby when the first mounting element is oriented in the first operative position the first and second flanges are configured for connection to the pair of uprights of the first rack and when the first mounting element is oriented in the second operative position the first and second flanges are configured for connection to the pair of uprights of the second rack.    
   
   
       11 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcing element includes a base and a pair of oppositely extending arms.  
   
   
       12 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the pair of oppositely extending arms are disposed coplanar and offset from the base and the wall.  
   
   
       13 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcing element includes a first end and a stop disposed at an opposing second end.  
   
   
       14 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the mounting element includes a shoulder disposed at a first end and a tab disposed at a second end.  
   
   
       15 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first operative position is defined when a tab disposed on a second end of the first mounting element is contiguous with a stop disposed at a second end of the reinforcing element.  
   
   
       16 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the second operative position is defined when a shoulder disposed at a first end of the mounting element is contiguous with a first end of the reinforcing element.  
   
   
       17 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first mounting element includes a pair of opposing channels that engage a pair of opposing arms of the reinforcing element offset from the base and the wall.  
   
   
       18 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcing element is disposed generally intermediate between the opposing first and second ends of the stationary slide rail.  
   
   
       19 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first flange is disposed more adjacent the first end of the stationary slide rail when the first mounting element is oriented in the first operative position than when the first mounting element is oriented in the second operative position.  
   
   
       20 . The telescoping slide assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the uprights of the first rack are spaced apart more than the uprights of the second rack.