Locking mechanism

Claim 2

A removable locking mechanism for a plug-in connection of two complementary parts, said locking mechanism comprising a first part of said connection capable of receiving the second part of said plug-in connection in a transverse direction, said first part comprising a pair of spaced walls, and a locking element comprising an integral L-shaped member including an elongated base mounted for longitudinal sliding movement between said walls between two limiting positions, said base having an integral shoulder extending transversely from said base through one of said walls and adapted to pass through the abutting surface of the second part of said plug-in connection, said shoulder having a lug thereon that is disposed outside and spaced from said one wall, locating means actuable from outside the plug-in connection to cause said base to slide lengthwise wherein in one position of said base the lug engages with said second part of the plug-in connection so as to prevent separation of said plug-in connection at least in a transverse direction, and snap-action locking means on said first part of said Connection and on said locking element engaging with each other to define said two positions of said locking element between which said locking element moves with a snap action, said snap-action means comprising interengaging studs on said locking element and one said wall.

Claim 3

A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, and means mounting said stud on said locking member for inward displacement when said studs pass over each other.

Claim 4

A mechanism as claimed in claim 2, said mounting means for said locking member stud comprising a spring mounting that bridges over a passage in said locking member, said locking member stud being carried by said spring mounting.

Claim 5

A removable locking mechanism for a plug-in connection of two complementary parts, said locking mechanism comprising a first part of said connection capable of receiving the second part of said plug-in connection in a transverse direction, said first part comprising a pair of spaced walls, and a locking element comprising an integral L-shaped member including an elongated base mounted for longitudinal sliding movement between said walls between two limiting positions, said base having an integral shoulder extending transversely from said base through one of said walls and adapted to pass through the abutting surface of the second part of said plug-in connection, said shoulder having a lug thereon that is disposed outside and spaced from said one wall, and locating means actuable from outside the plug-in connection to cause said base to slide lengthwise wherein in one position of said base the lug engages with said second part of the plug-in connection so as to prevent separation of said plug-in connection at least in a transverse direction, said locating means comprising a pair of opposed recesses extending through both of said walls and surrounded on all sides by said walls, said base having oppositely outwardly extending actuation studs thereon that are disposed in said recesses whereby said locking element may be manipulated from opposite sides of said first part of said connection by pressing against either of said actuation studs in the direction of longitudinal sliding movement of said locking elements.

Claim 6

A removable locking mechanism for a plug-in connection of two complementary parts, said locking mechanism comprising a first part of said connection capable of receiving the second part of said plug-in connection in a transverse direction, said first part comprising a pair of spaced walls, and a locking element comprising an integral L-shaped member including an elongated base mounted for longitudinal sliding movement between said walls between two limiting positions, said base having an integral shoulder extending transversely from said base through one of said walls and adapted to pass through the abutting surface of the second part of said plug-in connection, said shoulder having a lug thereon that is disposed outside and spaced from said one wall, and locating means actuable from outside the plug-in connection to cause said base to slide lengthwise wherein in one position of said base the lug engages with said second part of the plug-in connection so as to prevent separation of said plug-in connection at least in a transverse direction, said locating means comprising a pair of opposed recesses extending through both of said walls and surrounded on all sides by said walls, said base having oppositely outwardly extending actuation studs thereon that are disposed in said recesses whereby said locking element may be manipulated from opposite sides of said first part of said connection by pressing against either of said actuation studs in the direction of longitudinal sliding movement of said locking elements.