Patent ID: 8388606
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: A61B,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A locking mechanism comprising: a male extension including a straight portion and a graduated step portion; and a female extension configured to receive the male extension, and including a pair of protruding tabs, which are spaced apart to allow the straight portion of the male extension to pass through a space between the protruding tabs, and which contact the graduated step portion if the male extension is inserted a first predetermined distance into the female extension; wherein the graduated step portion of the male extension includes an outer pair of protruding tabs and an inner pair of protruding tabs, the outer protruding tabs being configured to contact left and right front flat surfaces of the female extension if the male extension is inserted the first predetermined distance into the female extension; and a top surface of each of the inner pair of protruding tabs of the graduated step portion of the male extension contacts a respective bottom surface of the pair of protruding tabs of the female extension if the male extension is inserted the first predetermined distance into the female extension.