Locking mechanisms

Abstract

A locking mechanism is provided including a male latch member a female receptacle having first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms for locking with the latch member. Locking is accomplished by moving the latch member with respect to the receptacle in a first direction, and unlocking with the latch member is accomplished by moving the latch member an additional distance further in the first direction. The first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms lock the latch member in any rotational orientation of the first direction of the latch member. Other locking mechanism embodiments include planar members and flanges for mounting to various substrates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking mechanism, comprising:
 a male latch member; and   a female receptacle having first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms for locking with the latch member by moving the latch member with respect to the receptacle in a first direction, and for unlocking with the latch member by moving the latch member an additional distance further in the first direction;   wherein the first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms lock the latch member in any rotational orientation of the first direction of the latch member.   
     
     
         2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the latch member is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof while locked with the receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a first and second plane including the first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms, respectively, bisect each other. 
     
     
         4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the latch member includes a distal end and a proximal end, and a shaft extending therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the distal end includes a hook. 
     
     
         6 . The locking mechanism of  claim 4 , further comprising a planar handle portion disposed along the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The locking mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the distal end includes a generally planar member oriented perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The locking mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein the proximal end includes a catch apparatus and a stop spaced therefrom toward the distal end along the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The locking mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein the stop has a larger diameter than the catch apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The locking mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein moving the latch member in a first direction causes the first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms to be urged open by, and then close behind, the catch apparatus, producing an audible sound to indicate locking of the latch member with the receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein each of the resilient arms of the first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms radially opposes the next adjacent arm by an acute angle or right angle. 
     
     
         12 . The locking mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second pairs of opposing resilient arms are radially extending. 
     
     
         13 . A plastic locking mechanism, comprising:
 a male latch member having a distal end and a proximal end, and a shaft extending therebetween, the distal end having a generally planar end member oriented perpendicular to an axis of the shaft, the end member having apertures for receiving fasteners to secure the latch member to a substrate; and   a female receptacle having a housing including a capture portion for locking with the latch member by moving the male latch member with respect to the receptacle in a first direction, and for unlocking with the latch member by moving the latch member an additional distance further in the first direction;   the receptacle including resilient arms within the capture portion to hold and release the latch member, and including flanges extending from the housing and having apertures for receiving fasteners to secure the receptacle to an opposed substrate.   
     
     
         14 . The locking mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the proximal end includes a catch apparatus and a stop spaced therefrom toward the distal end along the shaft, the stop having a larger diameter than the catch apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The locking mechanism of  claim 14 , wherein moving the latch member in a first direction causes the resilient arms to be urged open by, and then springably close behind, the catch apparatus, producing an audible sound to indicate locking of the latch member with the receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . The locking mechanism of  claim 13 , wherein the locking mechanism is constructed from one or more polymers derived from one or more acetal copolymer compounds. 
     
     
         17 . A plastic locking mechanism, comprising:
 a male latch member having a distal end and a proximal end, and a shaft extending therebetween, the distal end having a generally planar end member oriented parallel to an axis of the shaft, the end member having a thickness that allows attachment of the end member to a substrate directly through the end member; and   a female receptacle having a housing including a capture portion for locking with the latch member by moving the male latch member with respect to the receptacle in a first direction, and for unlocking with the latch member by moving the latch member an additional distance further in the first direction;   the receptacle including resilient arms within the capture portion to hold and release the latch member, and including a flange extending from the housing having a thickness that allows attachment of the flange to an opposed substrate directly through the flange.   
     
     
         18 . The locking mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein the proximal end includes a catch apparatus and a stop spaced therefrom toward the distal end along the shaft, the stop having a larger diameter than the catch apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The locking mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein moving the latch member in a first direction causes the resilient arms to be urged open by, and then springably close behind, the catch apparatus, producing an audible sound to indicate locking of the latch member with the receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The locking mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein the locking mechanism is constructed from one or more polymers derived from one or more acetal copolymer compounds.