Locking assembly

Claim 2

A locking assembly for mounting a plate member and a second member together, comprising: a substantially planar plate member having at least one aperture thereiN adapted to receive the second member therein, at least one locking means formed integrally with said plate member adjacent said aperture, said locking means including hinge means and first and second tabs extending in opposite directions from said hinge means, said locking means being rotatable about said hinge means between a first position in which said first tab extends from said plate member at an angle to the plane thereof and a second position in which the angle between said first tab and the plane of said plate member is reduced and the tip of said first tab extends beyond the edge of said aperture and into said aperture, whereby to engage the second member.

Claim 3

The assembly of claim 1 including second locking means adjacent the edge of said aperture diametrically opposite said first mentioned locking means.

Claim 4

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tip of said first tab is located outside of the vertical projection of the edge of said aperture when said locking means is in said first position.

Claim 5

The assembly of claim 1 wherein both of said tabs extend at an angle to the plane of said plate member when said locking member is in said first position and both tabs extend substantially parallel to said plane when said locking means is in said second position.

Claim 6

The assembly of claim 1 including a slot extending from the edge of said aperture, said first tab being movable in said slot upon rotation of said locking means.

Claim 7

The assembly of claim 1 including unlocking means associated with said second tab to assist in the rotation of said locking means from said second position to said first position.

Claim 8

The assembly of claim 6 wherein said unlocking means comprises a second aperture in said plate member beneath said second tab.

Claim 9

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivot axis of said hinge means is spaced from the edge of said aperture.

Claim 10

A locking assembly for mounting electrical components to a mounting plate, comprising: a substantially planar plate member having at least one aperture therein, at least one of said electrical components extending through said aperture, said electrical component having an opening therein facing the edge of said aperture and positioned substantially in the plane of said plate member, means positioned adjacent the edge of the aperture for resisting movement of said component and plate member relative to each other when said component is positioned in said aperture, and at least one locking means formed integrally with said plate member adjacent said aperture and substantially opposite said means for resisting movement, said locking means including hinge means and first and second tabs extending in opposite directions from said hinge means, said locking means being rotatable about said hinge means when a force is applied to said second tab between a first position in which said first tab is withdrawn from the opening in said component and a second position in which said first tab is inserted in said opening, whereby said component is locked in the aperture in said plate member.

Claim 11

A locking assembly for mounting electrical components to a mounting plate, comprising: a substantially planar plate member having at least one aperture therein, at least one of said electrical components extending through said aperture, said electrical component having an opening therein facing the edge of said aperture and positioned substantially in the plane of said plate member, means positioned adjacent the edge of the aperture for resisting movement of said component and plate member relative to each other when said component is positioned in said aperture, and at least one locking means formed integrally with said plate member adjacent said aperture and substantially opposite said means for resisting movement, said locking means including hinge means and first and second tabs extending in opposite directions from said hinge means, said locking means being rotatable about said hinge means when a force is applied to said second tab between a first position in which said first tab is withdrawn from the opening in said component and a second position in which said first tab is inserted in said opening, whereby said component is locked in the aperture in said plate member.

Claim 12

The assembly of claim 9 wherein the tip of said first tab is located outside of the vertical projection of the edge of said aperture when said locking means is in said first position.

Claim 13

The assembly of claim 9 wherein both of said tabs extend at an angle to the plane of said plane member when said locking member is in said first position and both tabs extend substantially parallel to said plane when said locking means is in said second position.

Claim 14

The assembly of claim 9 including a slot extending from the edge of said aperture, said first tab being movable in said slot upon rotation of said locking means.

Claim 15

The assembly of claim 9 including unlocking means associated with said second tab to assist in the rotation of said locking means from said second position to said first position.

Claim 16

The assembly of claim 13 wherein said unlocking means comprises a second aperture in said plate mEmber beneath said second tab.

Claim 17

The assembly of claim 9 wherein the pivot axis of said hinge means is spaced from the edge of said aperture.