Locking mechanism

Abstract

A locking apparatus is disclosed. The locking apparatus includes a female receptor for locking with a male member. The male member locks with the female receptor by moving the male member with respect to the female receptor in a first direction. The male member is unlocked from the female receptor by moving the male member an additional distance further in the first direction. The female receptor includes resilient arms to hold and release the male member and spring arms that contact the resilient arms.

1 . A locking apparatus, comprising:
 a female receptor for locking with a male member;   the male member locking with the female receptor by moving the male member with respect to the female receptor in a first direction;   the male member being unlocked from the female receptor by moving the male member an additional distance further in the first direction; and   the female receptor includes resilient arms to hold and release the male member and spring arms that contact the resilient arms.   
     
     
         2 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the female receptor includes a receptor housing and a receptor cavity defined at least partially by the resilient arms and the receptor housing, and the spring arms are disposed within the receptor housing. 
     
     
         3 . The locking apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the spring arms are connected to spring bases. 
     
     
         4 . The locking apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the spring arms and spring bases are force fit into the receptor housing. 
     
     
         5 . The locking apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the spring bases are contacting the receptor housing. 
     
     
         6 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring arms inhibit creep of the resilient arms. 
     
     
         7 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring arms reduce creep of the resilient arms to a predetermined tolerance. 
     
     
         8 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring arms are formed of metal. 
     
     
         9 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring arms are formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the female receptor includes a stop to prevent movement of the resilient arms in a second direction. 
     
     
         11 . A plastic locking apparatus, comprising:
 a female receptor for locking with a male member;   the male member locking with the female receptor by moving the male member with respect to the female receptor in a first direction;   the male member being unlocked from the female receptor by moving the male member an additional distance further in the first direction;   the female receptor includes resilient arms to hold and release the male member; and   the female receptor being formed of a plastic material including an acetal copolymer.   
     
     
         12 . The plastic locking apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the male member is formed of the plastic material including the acetal copolymer. 
     
     
         13 . The plastic locking apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the male member includes a slidable member to release the male member. 
     
     
         14 . The plastic locking apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the slidable member is formed of the plastic material including the acetal copolymer. 
     
     
         15 . The plastic locking apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plastic material is essentially free of acetal homopolymer. 
     
     
         16 . The plastic locking apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the acetal copolymer is a DURACON acetal copolymer. 
     
     
         17 . The plastic locking apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient arms include a curved portion to release the male member. 
     
     
         18 . The plastic locking apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plastic material consisting essentially of a polymer derived from an acetal copolymer compound. 
     
     
         19 . The plastic locking apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the female receptor includes a stop to prevent movement of the resilient arms in a second direction. 
     
     
         20 . A plastic locking apparatus, comprising:
 a female receptor for locking with a male member;   the male member locking with the female receptor by moving the male member with respect to the female receptor in a first direction;   the male member being unlocked from the female receptor by moving the male member an additional distance further in the first direction;   the female receptor includes resilient arms to hold and release the male member and spring arms that contact the resilient arms; and   the female receptor being formed of a plastic material including an acetal copolymer.