Patent ID: 6572156
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
A locking mechanism apparatus for a modem enclosure comprising:a top housing member and a bottom housing member, the bottom housing member including at least one integrally formed latch portion to prevent movement of the top housing member relative to the bottom housing member in a first direction, the at least one integrally formed latch portion being positioned adjacent a perimeter of the bottom housing member, the at least one integrally formed latch portion being cantilevered from the perimeter of the bottom housing member to allow the at least one integrally formed latch portion to be deflected by the top housing member, the top housing member including at least one L-shaped top housing deflecting tab portion for deflecting the at least one integrally formed latch portion by contacting the at least one integrally formed latch portion when the top housing member is moved in a second direction, the second direction being opposite that of the first direction, the bottom housing member including at least one inverted L-shaped bottom housing retaining tab portion, the at least one top housing deflecting tab portion slidably engaged with the at least one bottom housing retaining tab portion in the second direction to secure the top housing member to the bottom housing member and to prevent movement of the top housing member relative to the bottom housing member in a direction normal to that of the first and second directions wherein the at least one integrally formed latch portion is deflected by the at least one top housing deflecting tab portion when the top housing member is moved in the second direction and wherein the at least one integrally formed latch portion returns to an undeflected condition when the top housing member becomes engaged with the bottom housing member thereby preventing movement of the top housing member relative to the bottom housing member in the first direction.