Patent Publication Number: US-2023145088-A1

Title: Filter base for electronic connection to mating filter housing assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of this invention relate to a filtering apparatus, specifically a filter housing apparatus to facilitate easy removal and replacement of a filter housing from a mechanical support, and to a push filter design that activates a floating key lock, where the key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The mechanical support may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. More specifically, the invention relates to a filter housing and mount, whereby the filter housing may be attached to, and removed from, the mount by a push-actuated release. A controlled attachment or detachment of the filter sump, containing the filter media, may be activated by the axial push of the sump towards the mechanical support. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations. An internal shutoff, activated by the push-actuated release, may block spillage during filter housing removal and replacement. The mechanical support may include a filter base for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing apparatus that allows for electronic authentication of the filter housing assembly, or for analyzing other criteria associated with a filter cartridge, such as whether the filter media has reached the end of its useful life. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The invention relates to a water filtration system having a locking and unlocking mechanism for changing the filter when the filter media has served its useful life. The use of liquid filtration devices is well known in the art as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,135,645, 5,914,037 and 6,632,355. Although these patents show filters for water filtration, the filters are difficult to replace owing to their design and placement. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,645 discloses a filter cartridge as a plug-in cartridge with a series of switches to prevent the flow of water when the filter cartridge is removed for replacement. The filter must be manually inserted and removed and have a switch activated to activate valve mechanisms so as to prevent the flow of water when the filter is removed. The cover of the filter is placed in the sidewall of a refrigerator and is employed to activate the switches that activate the valves. The filter access is coplanar with the refrigerator wall and forces an awkward access to the filter cartridge. 
     In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/511,599 filed on Aug. 28, 2006, for Huda, entitled: “FILTER HOUSING APPARATUS WITH ROTATING FILTER REPLACEMENT MECHANISM,” a filter assembly having a rotator actuating mechanism including a first internal rotator and a second internal rotator is taught as an efficient way to insert, lock, and remove the filter housing from its base. A simple push mechanism actuates the self-driving release and change over means that hold and release the filter housing sump, and provide influent shutoff to prevent leaking and spillage. Rotational shutoff and locking mechanisms are activated and released by axial force on the filter housing at the commencement of the filter changing procedure. 
     The instant invention is particularly useful as the water filtering system for a refrigerator having water dispensing means and, optionally, an ice dispensing means. The water used in the refrigerator or water and ice may contain contaminants from municipal water sources or from underground well or aquifers. Accordingly, it is advantageous to provide a water filtration system to remove rust, sand, silt, dirt, sediment, heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, such as Giardia cysts, chlorine, pesticides, mercury, benzene, toluene, MTBE, Cadmium bacteria, viruses, and other know contaminants. Particularly useful water filter media for microbiological contaminants include those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,872,311, 6,835,311, 6,797,167, 6,630,016, 5,331,037, and 5,147,722, and are incorporated herein by reference thereto. One of the uses of the instant filter apparatus is as a water filtration apparatus for a refrigerator. Refrigerators are appliances with an outer cabinet, a refrigeration compartment disposed within the outer cabinet and having a rear wall, a pair of opposing side walls, at least one door disposed opposite the rear wall, a top and a bottom and a freezer compartment disposed in the outer cabinet and adjacent to the refrigeration compartment. It is common for refrigerators to have a water dispenser disposed in the door and in fluid communication with a source of water and a filter for filtering the water. Further, it is common for refrigerators to have an ice dispenser in the door and be in fluid communication with a source of water and a filter for filtering the water. It has been found that the filter assembly of the instant invention is useful as a filter for a refrigerator having a water dispenser and/or an ice dispenser. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to, in a first aspect, a filter base for receiving a complementary mating filter housing assembly, the filter base comprising: a base platform having fluid ingress and egress ports; and a wire harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the complementary mating filter housing assembly, the wire harness assembly including: a first connector; a second connector; conductors extending between the first and second connectors; one or more contacts provided on the second connector, the one or more contacts being flexible from a first position to a second position when a mating portion of the one or more contacts engages a mating connection surface of the complementary mating filter housing assembly; and a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform, the connector housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and contact-receiving enclosures extending from the upper surface, the contact-receiving enclosures dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts. 
     The one or more contacts may include termination sections mounted on the second connector at the first end portion and received in the contact-receiving enclosures, compliant sections extending from the termination sections, and substrate engagement sections extending from the compliant sections, and wherein the one or more contacts mating portions comprise the substrate engagements sections. 
     The one or more contacts termination sections may include folded over areas proximate free ends forming insulation displacement slots cooperating with the conductors extending between the first and second connectors. 
     The filter base further including contact-receiving projections extending from the connector housing lower surface, the contact-receiving projections including slots dimensioned to receive and retain a portion of the folded over areas of the termination sections of the one or more contacts therein. 
     The filter base further including conductor-receiving conduits integral with the connector housing upper and lower surfaces, the conductor-receiving conduits dimensioned to receive a portion of the conductors extending between the first and second connectors, wherein the conductors positioned in the conductor-receiving conduits extend through the contact-receiving enclosures. 
     The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board of the complementary mating filter housing assembly, and wherein the one or more contacts mating portions have curved contact sections configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads when the complementary mating filter housing assembly is received within the filter base. 
     The connector housing is partially disposed within laterally-extending slotted portions of the base platform. 
     In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a combination filter base and filter housing assembly, the combination comprising: a filter base having fluid ingress and egress ports on a base platform; a wire harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, the wire harness assembly including: a first connector; a second connector; conductors extending between the first and second connectors; one or more contacts provided on the second connector, the one or more contacts being flexible from a first position to a second position when curved contact sections of the one or more contacts engage a mating connection surface of the complementary mating filter housing assembly; and a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform, the connector housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and contact-receiving enclosures extending from the upper surface, the contact-receiving enclosures dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts; and a filter housing for enclosing a filter media, the filter housing having a body and a top portion for forming a fluid-tight seal with the body, the filter housing top portion including the mating connection surface for engaging the one or more contacts mating portions to establish an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, the mating connection surface structured to be in mechanical and electrical engagement with the curved contact sections of the one or more contacts when the filter housing is received within the filter base. 
     The one or more contacts may have termination sections mounted on the second connector at the first end portion and received in the contact-receiving enclosures, compliant sections extending from the termination sections, and substrate engagement sections extending from the compliant sections, and wherein the one or more contacts curved contact sections comprise the substrate engagements sections. 
     The filter base one or more contacts are flexible from a first position to a second position when the curved contact sections of the one or more contacts engage the mating connection surface of the filter housing top portion. 
     The mating connection surface may be a circuit pad of a printed circuit board located on or connected to the filter housing top portion. 
     A printed circuit board housing is located on or connected to the filter housing top portion, the printed circuit board housing including a recess for receiving the printed circuit board therein and for connecting the printed circuit board to the filter housing top portion. 
     The filter housing top portion includes ingress and egress ports positioned along a chord line that does not intersect an axial center of the filter housing top portion, such that a diameter line extending perpendicularly through the chord line is dissected in unequal parts, the ingress and egress ports received within ingress and egress stanchions of the filter base. 
     The filter housing top portion ingress and egress ports each extend vertically upwards from the filter cartridge housing top portion in a direction parallel to the axial center, wherein each of the ingress port and egress port have at least one portion or segment approximately cylindrical in cross-section, including a first segment forming a top portion of the ingress port and egress port, a third segment adjacent the housing top portion, and a second segment located between the first and third segments having at least one aperture or cavity for fluid flow, the first segment and third segment having a first diameter, and the second segment having a second diameter unequal to the first diameter. 
     The ingress port and egress port second segments may be formed in an hourglass shape. 
     The ingress port second segment cavity and the egress port second segment cavity are exposed in a direction opposite the filter housing top portion mating connection surface. 
     The combination further including: a filter key located on or connected to the filter housing top portion, the filter key including an extended attachment member having a bottom surface being at least partially exposed, the filter key attachment member bottom surface being releasably engageable with a top surface of the at least one shaped protrusion when the filter key is inserted within a locking member located on the filter base in an axial insertion direction, such that extraction of the filter housing assembly is prohibited. 
     The combination further including an electronic circuit component housing disposed adjacent to the filter key and having a recess for receiving an electronic circuit component therein and for further connecting the electronic circuit component to the filter housing top portion, the mating connection surface in electrical communication with the electronic circuit component. 
     In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for attaching a filter housing assembly to a filter base, the filter base including a base platform and a wire harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, the wire harness assembly including a first connector, a second connector, conductors extending between the first and second connectors, and one or more contacts provided on the second connector and being flexible from a first position to a second position when curved contact sections of the one or more contacts engage a mating connection surface of a complementary mating filter housing assembly, and further including a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform, the connector housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and contact-receiving enclosures extending from the upper surface, the contact-receiving enclosures dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts, the method comprising: inserting ingress and egress ports of the filter housing assembly into ingress and egress stanchions of the filter base to generate a resilient extraction force in an axial insertion direction; inserting a filter key of the filter housing assembly into a locking member of the filter base; while inserting, engaging a mating connection surface of the filter housing with the one or more contacts curved contact sections to establish an electrical connection between the filter base and the filter housing assembly, such that the wire assembly one or more contacts flex from a first position to a second position and maintain engagement with the mating connection surface during the flexing; and releasing the filter housing assembly so that the resilient extraction force acts on the filter key attachment member in an axial extraction direction to mate the filter key attachment member bottom contacting surface with the top surfaces of the locking member opposing drive keys, such that extraction of the filter housing assembly is prohibited. 
     In a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to a refrigerator comprising a filter base configured to receive a filter cartridge assembly wherein the filter base comprises: a base platform having fluid ingress and egress ports; and a wire harness assembly for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and the complementary mating filter housing assembly, the wire harness assembly including: a first connector; a second connector; conductors extending between the first and second connectors; one or more contacts provided on the second connector, the one or more contacts being flexible from a first position to a second position when a mating portion of the one or more contacts engages a mating connection surface of the complementary mating filter housing assembly; and a connector housing integral with or connected to the base platform, the connector housing having an upper surface and an oppositely facing lower surface and contact-receiving enclosures extending from the upper surface, the contact-receiving enclosures dimensioned to receive a first end portion of the one or more contacts; and wherein the filter cartridge assembly includes a housing having a substantially cylindrical body and a top portion for forming a fluid-tight seal with the body, the housing top portion having an axial center and further including: an ingress port and egress port extending from the housing top portion, each of the ingress port and egress port having a body with a top segment, a middle segment, and a bottom segment adjacent to the housing top segment and in fluid communication with the cylindrical body, the ingress port and egress port top segments having at least one seal at the junction with the middle segments, and the ingress port and egress port bottom segments having at least one seal at the junction with the middle segments, each of the seals having an outer surface first diameter, and the ingress port and egress port middle segments having an outer surface with a diametric extension less than the ingress port and egress port respective seal first diameters, such that the ingress port middle segment and egress port middle segment are formed in an hourglass shape; a filter key located on or connected to the housing for mating attachment to the filter base, the filter key comprising an extended finger including on one side a contacting portion forming a first angle in a first direction with respect to the housing top portion and an adjacent side forming a second angle in the first direction with respect to the housing top portion, such that the first angle and the second angle are not equal; and optionally an electronic circuit component housing disposed adjacent to the filter key and having a recess for receiving an electronic circuit component therein, and for further connecting the electronic circuit component to the housing top portion, the electronic circuit component housing located on or connected to the filter cartridge assembly housing. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a filter housing apparatus mounted to a base and having an automatic locking mechanism for simple replacement and removal. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a filter housing apparatus mounted on a surface having non-rotating locking means with pressure activation for replacement and removal. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a filter housing apparatus for use with water dispensing and\or ice dispensing apparatus whereby filtered water is provided to the water dispensing and/or ice dispensing apparatus. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a filter base apparatus for establishing an electrical connection between the filter base and a mating filter housing assembly that allows for electronic authentication of the filter housing assembly, or for analyzing other criteria associated with a filter cartridge, such as whether the filter media in a replaceable filter cartridge has reached the end of its useful life. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the description of the embodiment(s), which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a top exploded view of one embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a side plan view the embodiment of the filter housing assembly of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 C  depicts a perspective view of the filter housing assembly with strengthening ribs extending at least partially down the outer surface of the filter housing. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the filter key of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a lateral side view of the filter key of  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  2 C  depicts a bottom plan view of the filter key of  FIG.  2 A  showing a groove and a locking nub or tab for attachments. 
         FIG.  2 D  depicts a perspective view from the opposite side of the filter key of  FIG.  2 C . 
         FIG.  2 E  depicts a bottom view of the filter key of  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  2 F  is a longitudinal side view of the filter key of  FIG.  2 A . 
         FIG.  2 G  depicts a slotted groove which includes a wider upper portion for securely affixing the filter key to the filter head or filter manifold. 
         FIG.  2 H  is a side view of the filter key depicting an angled, ramp segment, which at least partially extends the length of the bottom surface of the filter key. 
         FIG.  2 I  depicts the complementary angled ramp segment for the filter key of  FIG.  2 H . 
         FIG.  2 J  depicts a side view of a partial section of the filter head showing a mating protrusion for interlocking with the slotted groove on the filter key, and complementary angled ramp segments for interlocking with the ramp segments on the filter key bottom edges. 
         FIG.  3 A  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the floating lock or sliding lock of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a perspective view from the opposite side of the floating lock of  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  3 C  is a lateral side view of the floating lock of  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  3 D  depicts a top view of the floating lock of  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  3 E  depicts cross-sectional longitudinal side view of the floating lock of  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the filter manifold. 
         FIG.  4 B  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the filter manifold with an extension support member. 
         FIG.  4 C  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the filter manifold. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a side view of one embodiment of the filter head of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a bottom perspective view of the filter head of  FIG.  5 A . 
         FIG.  5 C  is a top perspective view of the filter head of  FIG.  5 A . 
         FIG.  5 D  is another embodiment of the filter head with a snap fit lock for the filter key. 
         FIG.  5 E  is a bottom perspective view of the filter head of  FIG.  5 D . 
         FIG.  5 F  is a top perspective view of the filter head depicting the aperture for receiving the filter key. 
         FIG.  5 G  depicts a one-piece or integrated filter head/filter manifold construction having ingress and egress ports for fluid flow. 
         FIG.  5 H  is a side view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of  FIG.  5 G . 
         FIG.  5 I  is a bottom view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of  FIG.  5 G , depicting an off axial center cylinder for receiving an end cap port of the filter cartridge. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are exploded views of a second embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention, showing a filter key having an extended boss. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the filter key of the present invention having an extended boss. 
         FIG.  7 B  is a bottom perspective view of the filter key of  FIG.  7 A . 
         FIG.  7 C  depicts a top plan view of the filter key of  FIG.  7 A . 
         FIG.  7 D  depicts a side plan view of the filter key of  FIG.  7 A . 
         FIG.  7 E  depicts an end or lateral side view of the embodiment of the filter key of  FIG.  7 A , showing the boss rising above the plane created by the fingers, and two wings extending laterally outwards from the boss. 
         FIG.  7 F  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the filter key of the present invention showing a locking nub located on the bottom portion on a lateral side. 
         FIG.  8 A  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the floating lock of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8 B  is a top view of the floating lock of  FIG.  8 A . 
         FIG.  8 C  is a cross-sectional view of the floating lock of  FIG.  8 A  depicting a drive key located at one end of the floating lock on the longitudinal or side panel. 
         FIG.  8 D  depicts an exploded view of the drive key of  FIG.  8 C  showing the edge angle and face. 
         FIG.  8 E  depicts a perspective view of a floating lock having an extension member. 
         FIG.  8 F  is a side view of the floating lock of  FIG.  8 E  having an extension member. 
         FIG.  8 G  is a lateral or cross-sectional view of the floating lock of  FIG.  8 E  with an extension member. 
         FIG.  9 A  is a perspective view of a non-floating port of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9 B  is a top plan view of the non-floating port of  FIG.  9 A . 
         FIG.  10 A  is a top plan view of one embodiment of the rear plate of the present invention. 
         FIG.  10 B  is a bottom perspective view of the rear plate of  FIG.  10 A . 
         FIG.  10 C  is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the rear plate of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded view of a filter assembly of the present invention, showing a filter key having a boss, connected to a filter manifold having extension supports. 
         FIG.  12 A  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a filter assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG.  12 B  is a front top perspective view of the filter assembly of  FIG.  12 A . 
         FIG.  12 C  is a rear top perspective view of the filter assembly of  FIG.  12 A . 
         FIG.  12 D  is a rear elevational view of the filter assembly of  FIG.  12 A . 
         FIG.  12 E  is a partial, expanded rear top perspective view of the filter assembly of  FIG.  12 A . 
         FIG.  13 A  is a front top perspective view of a filter key used with the filter assembly embodiment of  FIG.  12 A . 
         FIG.  13 B  is a rear perspective view of the filter key of  FIG.  13 A . 
         FIG.  13 C  is a side elevational view of the filter key of  FIG.  13 A . 
         FIG.  14 A  is a top-down view of an embodiment of the filter assembly of  FIG.  12 A , with a printed circuit board directly affixed to the filter housing top portion without a PCB housing. 
         FIG.  14 B  is a partial perspective view of the filter assembly embodiment of  FIG.  14 A . 
         FIG.  14 C  is a partial front elevational view of the filter assembly of  FIG.  14 A . 
         FIG.  14 D  is a partial side elevational view of the filter assembly of  FIG.  14 A . 
         FIG.  15    is a top perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical connector and wire harness for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  16    is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and wire harness of  FIG.  15   . 
         FIG.  17    is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and wire harness of  FIG.  15   . 
         FIG.  18    is an enlarged view of several contacts of the electrical connector of  FIG.  17   . 
         FIG.  19    is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of an electrical connector and wire harness for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  20    is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and wire harness of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  21    is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector and wire harness of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  22    is an upward-facing perspective view of another embodiment of a filter base according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  22 A  is a downward-facing perspective view of the filter base of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  23    is top perspective view of a third embodiment of an electrical connector and wire harness for use in a filter assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  24    is a bottom perspective view of the electrical connector and wire harness of  FIG.  23   . 
         FIG.  25    is a perspective view of a filter base including an electrical connector and wire harness for connection to a mating filter housing assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  26    is an enlarged perspective view of the filter base and wire assembly of  FIG.  25   . 
         FIG.  27    is a bottom plan view of the filter base and wire assembly of  FIG.  25   . 
         FIG.  28    is a perspective view of the filter base and wire assembly of  FIG.  24    in combination with a mating filter housing assembly. 
         FIG.  29    is an enlarged perspective view of the combination filter assembly of  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  30    is an upward-facing perspective view of the floating lock of  FIG.  27   . 
         FIG.  30 A  is an enlargement of the device key of  FIG.  30   , depicting a receiving wedge having an extended shelf portion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In describing the embodiment(s) of the present invention, reference will be made herein to  FIGS.  1  to  30    of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention. Features of the invention are not necessarily shown to scale. 
     Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation of the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” “downward,” longitudinal, lateral, radial, “clockwise,” or “counterclockwise” merely describe the configuration shown in the drawings. Indeed, the referenced components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers may be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. 
     Additionally, in the subject description, the words “exemplary,” “illustrative,” or the like are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily intended to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or design. Rather, the use of the words “exemplary” or “illustrative” is merely intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. 
     The present invention is directed to a filter housing assembly for filtration of liquids, including the interception of chemical, particulate, and/or microbiological contaminants. The use of the mechanical locking assembly of the filter housing without the need for excess force and tight tolerances essential in prior art filter housings makes for easy and frequent filter changes and optimal filter performance. The filter housing assembly of the present invention provides simplified filter changes to minimize process downtime and without recourse to tools. A simple push mechanism actuates the self-driving release and change over means that hold and release the filter housing sump or filter cartridge, and provides influent shutoff means to prevent leaking and spillage. A floating lock or sliding lock responsive to an axial insertion force from the filter cartridge moves perpendicular or radially to the axial motion of the sump, and allows a specific connector piece or filter key to insert within the floating lock. Once inserted, the floating lock retracts towards its original position under a resilient force, such as two springs in tandem, or other complementary resilient mechanism keeping the floating lock under retraction tension when moved from its initial position. The filter key and floating lock combination allows for the identification of specific filter models and may be configured to reject all but specific filter types. 
     Removal of the filter cartridge is performed in the same manner. An axial insertion force causes the floating lock to move radially, which allows the filter key to be removed from the floating lock. An extraction force provided by spring tension, or the like, helps push the filter cartridge out of its base. Fluid shutoff and locking mechanisms are initiated by the axial force on the filter cartridge at the commencement of the filter changing procedure. 
     The present invention is described below in reference to its application in connection with, and operation of, a water treatment system. However, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be applicable to any device having a need for filtering liquid. 
       FIG.  1 A  is a top exploded view of an embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention. The filter assembly is fixably secured in a position within an operating environment requiring fluid filtration, such as attached to an internal sidewall of a refrigerator, although certainly other operating environments may be envisioned, and the filter assembly may be used in any number of environments where the filter assembly has access to, and can be placed in fluid communication with, influent and effluent fluid access ports. For illustrative purposes only, application to the filtering of water being piped into a refrigerator is discussed. 
     A filter housing assembly  200  comprises the removable, detachable filter cartridge or sump of the filter assembly from a filter base  100 . Filter housing assembly  200  includes a filter housing  1 , which encloses filter media  8 , a filter head  2  that attaches at one end to filter housing  1 , and attaches at the other end to a filter manifold  3  and non-floating port  11 . A connector piece or filter key  5  is attached to filter manifold  3 . Filter base  100  includes non-floating port  11  having a base platform  1104 , locking member or floating lock  12 , and rear plate  13 . Filter head  2  secures in a water-tight fit to filter housing  1 . The attachment scheme may be made by a water-tight screw fit, bond, weld, or other water-tight fastening mechanism commonly used in the art for sealing adjoining components, typically adjoining plastic components. As discussed in further detail below, filter key  5  is connected to filter manifold  3 . Filter key  5  may be formed as one piece with filter manifold  3 , or may be securely attached by other methods, such as bonding, welding, press fit, friction fit, or the like. Filter key  5  may also be removably attached for replacement by an end user. Filter manifold  3  is attached to filter head  2 . Filter media  8  is located in filter housing  1 . Each end of filter media  8  is secured by a cap that facilitates the direction of the fluid being treated by the filter. At one end, filter media  8  is secured by a closed end cap  7 , and at the other end by open end cap  6 . Filter media  8  may be any filter media known in the art, and preferably, is a carbon block filter. It is typically shaped in a similar fashion as filter housing  1 , which in an embodiment is cylindrical. Open end cap  6  is designed to interface and be in fluid communication with filter head  2 . 
     In another embodiment, filter housing  1  may include strengthening ribs  16  longitudinally located on the filter housing outer surface.  FIG.  1 C  depicts a perspective view of filter housing assembly  200  with a row of strengthening ribs extending at least partially down the outer surface of filter housing  1 . Strengthening ribs  16  also function as a guide for inserting filter housing assembly  200  into a shroud (not shown) that may be part of the installation assembly for ensuring proper alignment with filter base  100 . Strengthening ribs  16  is preferably integral with filter housing  1 , but may also be attachable as a separate component part. Ribs  16  may extend the full length of filter housing  1 , or as shown, may extend to an intermediate point between filter housing assembly  200  end caps  6 ,  7 . 
     Filter housing assembly  200  is a finished assembly including filter housing  1 , which encompasses filter media  8  by closed end cap  7  at one end, and open end cap  6  at the other. Generally, o-ring seals, such as o-ring seal  9 , are used to prevent water leakage where different components are expected to mate. Filter manifold  3  and filter key  5  are joined with filter head  2 , and secured to filter housing  1  to form the assembled filter housing apparatus  200 . These components may be integral, permanently secured, or removably attached to one another, and to filter head  2 .  FIG.  1 B  is a side plan view of an embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG.  2 A  is a perspective view of connector piece or filter key  5 . 
       FIG.  2 B  is a lateral side view of filter key  5 . As previously noted, the bottom of filter key  5  is attached to filter manifold  3  by any number of fastening schemes, or may be integrally formed with filter manifold  3 . 
       FIG.  2 C  depicts a groove  51  that is preferably shaped to receive a complementary protrusion on filter manifold  3 , and is preferably shaped to receive a dovetail protrusion; however, other connecting, complementary shapes are not excluded. 
     For example,  FIG.  2 G  depicts a slotted groove  51   b  that is not a dovetail joint. Slotted groove  51   b  may include a wider upper portion  51   c  to more securely affix filter key  5  to filter manifold  3 . The connection of filter key  5  with filter manifold  3  may be bonded, sonic welded, press fitted, friction fitted, or the like. Moreover, filter key  5  may be integral with filter manifold  3 . Similarly, filter manifold  3  may be bonded, sonic welded, press fitted, friction fitted, or integral with the filter housing top portion. As depicted in the illustrative embodiment, groove  51  is shaped to accept a snap feature for a press or snap fit located on filter manifold  3 . In this manner filter key  5  may be removably attached to filter manifold  3 . Similarly, filter manifold  3  may be designed to be removably attached to filter head  2 . Thus, the design has more flexibility to introduce and accommodate different key configurations, which can be used to designate specific filter types, and purposely reject other filter types. Additionally, filter key  5  may include an angled, ramp segment  59   a  on at least its bottom edges where filter key  5  slidably mates with the top surface of filter manifold  3  or filter head  400 . 
       FIG.  2 H  is a side view of filter key  5  depicting angled ramp segment  59   a , which at least partially extends the length of the bottom surface of filter key  5 . Angled ramp  59   a  is located at one end of the bottom edges of filter key  5  and extends into the filter key main body  5   a.    
       FIG.  2 I  depicts a perspective view of filter head  400  with complementary angled ramp segments  59   b  for mating with angled ramp segments  59   a  of filter key  5 . Angled ramp segment  59   a  matably adjoins complementary angled ramp segment  59   b  to interlock and assist in securing filter key  5  to filter head  400 . For the two piece design utilizing filter manifold  3 , complementary angled ramp segments  59   b  are formed on the top surface of filter manifold  3 . 
       FIG.  2 J  depicts a side view of a partial section of filter head  400  showing mating protrusion or rail  321  for interlocking with slotted groove  51   b , and complementary angled ramp segments  59   b.    
       FIG.  4 A  depicts a perspective view of the one embodiment of filter manifold  300 . Port  310  is shown off center of filter manifold  300 .  FIG.  4 A  depicts the filter manifold without extension support members. Preferably, port  310  is an outlet port; however, the present invention is not limited to a specific ingress and egress location, and may have these ports interchanged. When port  310  is used as an egress or outlet port, filter manifold  300  takes fluid from filter media  8  through the center port of open cap  6 , and directs fluid flow radially outwards from the axial center to port  310 . In this embodiment, the ingress port is located on filter head  2 . By locating the ingress and egress ports off axis, filter housing assembly  200  has a more robust design, with enhanced structural integrity for mounting to the filter base, and for remaining fixably in place during attachment. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C , in a preferred attachment scheme for filter key  5 , a protrusion or rail  32  or  320  is formed on or near the center line of filter manifold  3  or  300 . Protrusion or rail  32  or  320  is preferably a rectangular shaped segment extending above circular center portion  33  or  330 . Protrusion or rail  32  allows for precise alignment of filter key  5 , while providing a robust connection. Preferably, a dovetail shape, press fit, or friction fit interconnection between protrusion  32  and groove  51  of filter key  5  permits the user to remove and replace filter key  5 . This allows for the designation of specific filter keys, and correspondingly, specific filter cartridges. Protrusion or rail  32 ,  320  may be integrally formed with filter manifold  3  or  300 , respectively, and filter manifold  3  may be integrally formed with the filter housing top portion. Or these components may be separately fabricated and attached by bond, weld, press fit, friction fit, or other suitable means known in the art. Preferably, protrusion or rail  32 ,  320  has a dovetail shaped surface for slidably mating with complementary groove  51  of filter key  5 . 
     In the embodiment depicted by  FIGS.  4 B and  4 C , protrusion  32  may be on an extension support  34 .  FIG.  4 B  depicts a top level view of filter manifold  3 , showing extension support  34  extending longitudinally or radially outward from center portion  33 , along a radius. Extension support  34  supports optional shroud  4  that covers and protects filter head  2 . Filter manifold  3  or  300  seats within and attaches to filter head  2 . 
       FIG.  5 A  depicts a side view of one embodiment of filter head  2 . Filter head  2  is shown with off-center port  21 . In this manner, port  21  of filter head  2  and port  31  of filter manifold  3  are both off-center and parallel to one another about a plane that approximately intersects the center point of filter head  2 . As shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  4 , and  5   , a recessed portion  22  formed about the center point of filter head  2  receives center portion  33  of filter manifold  3 . If extension support  34  is used with filter manifold  3 , when filter manifold  3  is inserted within filter head  2 , extension support  34  is situated approximately perpendicular to the plane formed by ports  21  and  31 . Extension support  34  provides at each end a snap fit design for shroud  4 . 
       FIG.  5 B  is a bottom perspective view of the filter head. 
       FIG.  5 C  is a top perspective view of filter head  2  depicting recess portion  22 . 
     Filter head  210  depicts another embodiment as shown in  FIGS.  5 D- 5 F . In this embodiment, as depicted in the top perspective view of  FIG.  5 F , on the top surface of filter head  210  is a curved receiving boss or support member  230  located on one side of the center point, and two parallel, lateral support members  240   a,b  located opposite curved boss  230  on the other side of the center point of filter head  210 . These structural support members are used to align filter key  5  to filter head  210 , and help secure filter key  5 . This filter head may be used in conjunction with the filter manifold  300  without extension supports, as depicted in  FIG.  4 A . Structural support member  230  provides a physical stop for filter key  5 , which typically slides on protrusion  32  provided by filter manifold  300 . Lateral support members  240   a,b  are used to align filter key  5 , and prevent it from inadvertent shifting.  FIG.  5 E  is a bottom perspective view of filter head  210 .  FIG.  5 D  is a side view of filter head  210 . 
     In another embodiment, filter head  2 ,  210  may be integral with filter manifold  3 ,  310 , such as for example, a one piece construction in the form of a single injected molded piece, or a two piece construction with filter manifold  3 ,  310  welded, fused, or otherwise permanently attached to filter head  2 ,  210  as a subassembly. 
       FIG.  5 G  depicts a one-piece or integrated filter head/filter manifold construction  400  having ingress and egress ports  410   a,b . Protrusion  420  is preferably a shaped segment extending above, and off axis from, the circular center of filter head  400 . Protrusion  420  allows for precise alignment of filter key  5 , while providing a robust connection. A dovetail shape, press fit, or friction fit interconnection between protrusion  420  and groove  51  of filter key  5  permits the user to remove and replace filter key  5 .  FIG.  5 H  is a side view of integrated, one-piece filter head  400 . Cylindrical wall  424  is sized to receive the open end cap  6  of filter housing  1 . Cylindrical wall  426  is off the axial center of filter head  400  and is configured to receive the center axial port of end cap  6 , redirecting fluid flow off the axial center such that port  410   b  is within cylinder  426 , and port  410   a  is outside of cylinder  426 . This redirection of fluid flow performs a similar function as filter manifold  3 ,  310  without the need of aligning the center axial port of end cap  6  with a filter manifold aperture. 
       FIG.  5 I  is a bottom view of the integrated, one-piece filter head of  FIG.  5 G , depicting off axial center cylinder  426  for receiving a port of open end cap  6  of the filter cartridge. A comparison to  FIGS.  5 B and  5 E  which depict perspective views of the underside of filter head  2 ,  210  respectively, with  FIG.  5 I , demonstrates the absence of an axially centered cylinder for receiving the port from open end cap  6  in the integrated filter head  400  design. 
     Filter manifold  300  includes an off-center port  310 , as well as a center portion  330  that fits securely within recess  220  of filter head  210 . Protrusion  320  receives the groove from filter key  5 . In this embodiment, when filter key  5  is slidably inserted within protrusion  320 , structural support member  230  and lateral structural support members  240   a,b  secure filter key  5 . The curved portion of structural support member  230  forces filter key  5  to be inserted in one direction only. An added boss  232 , located on the top of filter head  210  and centered between lateral support members  240   a,b  may be employed to serve as a lock or snap fit for filter key  5 . Additionally, in another embodiment, structural support member  230  may be formed with a small aperture  235  located directly away from the center point of filter head  210  at its base where support member  230  meets the top portion of filter head  210 . This small aperture  235  is designed to receive a protruding material or locking nub or tab  53  placed at, or formed with, the corresponding end portion of filter key  5  on the lower end of a lateral side. Locking nub or tab  53  on filter key  5  is inserted within small aperture  235  on the curved portion of structural support member  230  and prevents axial removal of filter key  5  away from filter head  210 .  FIGS.  2 A- 2 F  show locking nub  53  located on the bottom portion of a lateral side of filter key  5 .  FIG.  5 D  is a side view of filter head  210  depicting aperture  235  for receiving filter key  5 . 
     Filter key  5  includes at least one attachment member, such as laterally extending finger  52 , and preferably a plurality of extending fingers, as depicted in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 F .  FIG.  2 C  is a bottom perspective view of filter key  5 . In a first illustrative embodiment, filter key  5  is shown with ten laterally extending fingers  52 . Fingers  52  are preferably constructed of the same material as, and integrally formed with, base  55  of filter key  5 . However, the fingers may also be removably attached, and the filter key design is not limited to an integrally formed construction. The laterally extending fingers  52  may form a number of different configurations. In the illustrative embodiment, there is a uniform gap  54  between each finger  52 . In other configurations, a finger may be missing on one or both sides of filter key  5 , and gap  54  may be wider in some places than in others. Using a digital 1, 0 designations to indicate a finger (1) or a gap (0), it is possible to have many different configurations for a filter key. The configuration as shown in  FIG.  2 E  would be designated on each side as 101010101. As a separate example, for a designation of 100010101, this would represent a lateral finger (1) followed by a wide gap (000), and then a finger (1) followed by a gap (0) and a finger (1) followed by another gap (0), and one last finger (1). The present invention is not limited to any particular finger/gap order. Additionally, it is not necessary for the finger/gap configuration on one side of filter key  5  to be symmetric with the finger/gap configuration on the opposite side. By having different finger/gap configurations, it is possible to make a mechanical key identifier for the specific filter housing assembly being employed. Filter key  5  may also be color-coded to facilitate identification for different filter cartridges or housing assemblies. It may also be textured, mirrored, transparent, translucent, materially modified, or having a conductively signature, or any combination thereof, for identification purposes. More importantly, aside from identification of the filter housing assembly, a particular filter key finger/gap configuration will only allow for the use of a specific filter housing assembly in a given system. 
     Fingers  52  of filter key  5  are strength bearing attachment members, used to mate with, or interlock with, corresponding protrusions or drive keys  123   a,b  located on longitudinal sides of locking member or floating lock  12  as depicted in  FIG.  3   . There must be at least one protrusion or drive key on floating lock  12  that corresponds to, and lines up with, at least one finger or attachment member on filter key  5 , so that when filter key  5  is inserted to mate with floating lock  12 , the drive keys slidably contact the fingers and floating lock  12  is shifted longitudinally an incremental amount to allow fingers  52  on filter key  5  to traverse between the gaps  122  on floating lock  12 . Once fingers  52  have passed between the corresponding gaps on floating lock  12 , which is slidably restrained under tensional forces, floating lock  12  is partially returned towards its original position by the tensional retraction forces so that at least one extended finger on filter key  5  aligns or interlocks with at least one protrusion or drive key on floating lock  12 , and the alignment resists any direct outward, axial extraction forces. 
     Each attachment member or finger  52  of filter key  5  includes a slanted face  58  as depicted in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 F . These angled features are made to slidably contact complementary slanted edge or angled features  121   a,b  of drive keys  123   a,b  of floating lock  12  shown in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 E . During insertion of filter key  5 , the sliding contact of the angled feature of the filter key&#39;s fingers transversely shifts floating lock  12  off of its initial position, and allows the fingers of filter key  5  to be inserted within gaps  122  between the drive keys  123   a,b.    
     A perspective view of locking member or floating lock  12  is depicted in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B . Floating lock  12  has angled-faced fingers, protrusions, or drive keys  123   a,b  and gaps  122  that may reciprocally correspond to fingers  52  and gaps  54  located on filter key  5 . It is not necessary for the drive key/gap configuration of floating lock  12  to be exactly complementary to the finger/gap configuration of filter key  5 . It is only necessary that floating lock  12  is able to fully receive the inserting filter key  5  when filter housing assembly  200  is axially inserted into filter base  100 . Each protrusion or drive key  123   a,b  of floating lock  12  is shaped with a receiving wedge  129   a,b , respectively, opposite slanted portion or edge  121   a,b  to capture fingers  52  of filter key  5 . Fingers  52  may have a cross-sectional diamond shape to facilitate the capture by the drive key receiving wedge  129   a,b . Drive keys  123   a,b  are placed on at least one longitudinal side of floating lock  12 , as depicted in  FIGS.  3 D and  3 E . Underneath and centered between drive keys  123   a,b  is a row of position stops  125  forming a track structure extending longitudinally along floating lock  12 . Position stops  125  preclude fingers  52  from extending any further during insertion. There need not be a position stop  125  for each drive key  123   a,b , provided there is at least one position stop  125  to prohibit over insertion of filter key  5 . Position stops  125  also include a slanted or angled face  126  for slidable contact with slanted face  58  of fingers  52  on filter key  5 . Position stops  125  are shown as a row of jagged edges, but do not have to correspond one-for-one with drive keys  123   a,b.    
     Upon insertion, when attachment members or extended fingers  52  of filter key  5  contact drive keys  123   a,b , floating lock  12  shifts away from its initial position, against retraction forces, and moves according to the contacting angled edges  58  and  121 . Once wings  56   a,b  of fingers  52  clear lip  127   a,b  of drive keys  123   a,b , floating lock  12  is not prohibited from reacting to the retraction forces, and moves slightly back, towards its original position where diamond shaped wings  56   a,b  are then trapped by receiving wedges  129   a,b . This position locks filter key  5  to floating lock  12  resisting any a direct axial extraction force. 
     There is a gap or space  124  between the bottom most portion of drive key  123   a,b  and top most portion of position stop  125 . Upon extraction, when wings  56   a,b  of fingers  52  are pushed within this gap or space, there is no structure preventing floating lock  12  from responding to the tensional retraction forces acting on it. Thus, floating lock  12  is free to respond to the retraction forces, and will tend to move towards its initial position. This will align fingers  52  of filter key  5  within gaps  122  of floating lock  12  and allow for easy extraction of filter housing  200 . 
     In order to extract filter housing assembly  200 , a user again pushes axially inwards on the filter housing assembly, which releases wings  56   a,b  on filter key  5  from drive keys  123   a,b . This frees floating lock  12  to return to towards its original position, and locates fingers  52  on filter key  5  at gaps  122  of floating lock  12 . Filter housing assembly  200  can now be freely extracted from filter base  100 . Resilient members  1110  within shut-off stanchions  1101   a,b  of non-floating port  11  assist in pushing or extracting filter housing assembly  200  away from filter base  100 . 
       FIG.  9 A  is a perspective view of non-floating port  11 , which works in tandem with rear plate  13  or rear plate  1300  to hold floating or sliding lock  12  in place while allowing it to freely move longitudinally off its center position and back to its center position during the insertion and extraction of filter housing assembly  200 . As discussed further herein, the base platform  1104  of non-floating port  11  will also hold locking members such as floating lock  1200  and floating lock  1212  of  FIG.  8   . For simplicity, reference is made chiefly to the interaction of non-floating port  11  with floating lock  12 , although the applicability of non-floating port  11  includes usage with floating lock  1200  and  1212  as well. Non-floating port base platform  1104  includes a protruding encasement  1102 , larger than floating lock  12 , and made to enclose floating lock  12  therein. Encasement  1102  prevents over-travel of floating lock  12 , and protects it when installed from extraneous, unintended movement. 
       FIG.  9 B  is a top plan view of non-floating port  11 . Stanchions  1101   a,b  are located on opposite sides of encasement  1102  and extend through base platform  1104 . Each ingress/egress stanchion  1101   a,b  has an upper stanchion portion extending perpendicularly upwards with respect to a top surface of base platform  1104  in an axial direction and a lower stanchion portion extending downwards with respect to base platform  1104  in the axial direction. Ports  1103  represent the ingress and egress ports for the fluid and extend perpendicularly to stanchions  1101   a,b . Shut-off stanchions  1101   a,b  include shutoff plugs  14 , which act as valve seals to stop fluid flow when the filter cartridge is being removed. Shut-off stanchions  1101   a,b  are preferably cylindrical in shape, containing spring activated, o-ring sealed plugs for sealing the ingress and egress lines during filter cartridge removal. In an embodiment, rear plate  13  is snap fitted into non-floating port  11 . In order to accommodate this, snap fittings  1105  are shown on non-floating port  11  that receive a corresponding fitting  135  on rear plate  13 . Referring to  FIG.  1   , floating lock  12  is supported by non-floating port  11  and rear plate  13 . 
       FIG.  10 A  is a top plan view of one embodiment of rear plate  13  of the present invention. 
       FIG.  10 B  depicts a bottom perspective view of rear plate  13 . Rear plate  13  secures locking member or floating lock  12  within a support structure in non-floating port  11 . Rear plate  13  is preferably attached by snap fit to non-floating port  11 , although other attachment schemes known in the art may be easily employed, such as bonding, welding, and assorted mechanical fasteners. Rear plate  13  is formed with extensions  132  on each end, and shaped gaps  133  therebetween. Gaps  133  are shaped to go around shut-off stanchions  1101   a,b  of non-floating port  11 . In this embodiment, rear plate  13  includes a center aperture  131  that allows for longitudinal movement of floating lock  12 . Floating lock  12  may include an extension member opposite the face configured with fingers and gaps, in order to permit resilient components, such as helical or torsion springs to act upon it.  FIGS.  3 C and  3 E  are side views of the floating lock showing extension member  128 .  FIG.  3 B  is a perspective view of the floating lock  12  with extension member  128 .  FIG.  8 E  depicts floating lock  1212  with extension member  1280 . In these embodiments, the extension member is acted upon by resilient devices held by the rear plate. 
       FIG.  10 C  is a top plan view of another embodiment of the rear plate  1300  of the present invention. In this embodiment, the topside of rear plate  1300  includes a domed, slotted cover  1302  over the center aperture. Cover  1302  is formed to encase springs or other resilient members about the extension member  128  extending from floating lock  12 . Dome  1302  includes a slot  1304  that is made to receive the extension member  128  from floating lock  12 . Slot  1304  helps retain linear movement of floating lock  12  inside dome  1302 . In this embodiment, two complementary resilient members, such as springs, would reside on each side of the extension member  128  of floating lock  12 . One resilient member preferably applies force on the floating lock extension member in one direction, while the other resilient member applies force to the floating lock extension member in the opposite direction. In this manner, no matter which way floating lock  12  is moved or shifted, a retraction force presents itself to return floating lock  12  to its original, centered position. 
     At all times during insertion, the filter housing assembly is under extraction forces that tend to push the housing out of the filter base. These extraction forces result from resilient members in each shut-off stanchion  1101   a,b  of non-floating port  11  (shown in  FIG.  9 B ) that force shutoff plugs  14  into position in order to block the ingress and egress ports. Preferably, the extraction forces on shutoff plugs  14  are provided by a spring  1110  in each port, although other resilient members may be used to provide a similar result. Inserting the filter housing assembly into the filter base works against these extraction forces, and pushes shutoff plugs  14  further up each shut-off stanchion  1101   a,b  of non-floating port  11 . This allows for fluid ingress, while keeping the filter housing assembly under the constant extraction force. 
     Protective port shroud  4  may be placed over filter head  2 , to protect the floating lock  12  and filter key  5  mechanism from damage and debris. Shroud  4  is preferably supported by the extension supports on the filter manifold. 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are exploded views of another embodiment of the filter assembly of the present invention, showing the combination of filter manifold  300 , filter key  500 , and filter head  210 . Filter key  500  is depicted without a locking nub or tab; however it may include a locking nub to facilitate attachment to the filter head.  FIG.  7 F  depicts filter key  590  with locking nub or tab  501 . Locking nub  501  is located at the base of filter key  590 . In this embodiment, filter key  500  or  590  and filter manifold  300  are modified such that locking member or floating lock  1200  or  1212  of  FIG.  8    is slidably shifted by the interaction wings  560   a,b  of an extended boss  550  on filter key  500  or  590  with drive keys  1210   a,b  of floating lock  1200 . 
     Filter key  500  or  590  is inserted within floating lock  1200  through the axial insertion of the filter housing assembly into the filter base. Hammerhead shaped wings  560   a,b  on fingers  520  of filter key  500  and drive keys  1210   a,b  on floating lock  1200  or  1212  slidably contact one another, causing a transverse motion of floating lock  1200  or  1212  perpendicular to the axial motion of insertion. In this manner, floating lock  1200  or  1212  is shifted longitudinally, in a direction radially relative to the filter housing assembly axis. Attachment members or fingers  520  of filter key  500  are positioned within the gaps  1220  on floating lock  1200  or  1212 . Once filter key  500  or  590  is inserted, floating lock  1200  or  1212  is returned partially towards its original position by retracting tensional forces, preferably by complementary spring forces, so that the fingers on floating lock  1200  or  1212  align directly with fingers  520  on filter key  500  or  590 , thus preventing a direct extraction force from removing the filter housing assembly from the filter base. 
       FIG.  7 F  depicts a top perspective view of filter key  590 . At one end of filter key  590  is an upwardly extended angled boss  550 . Boss  550  rises above horizontal plane  570  created by the top portion of fingers  520 , and is angled toward fingers  520 , with its highest point at one end of filter key  500 . Boss  550  angles downward from its highest point towards fingers  520 . Preferably, boss  550  is an upwardly facing triangular or wedge shaped design having wings  560   a,b  for interaction with drive keys  1210   a,b , respectively, on floating lock  1200 . 
       FIG.  7 E  depicts an end view of filter key  500  showing a hammerhead shaped boss  550  rising above plane  570  created by fingers  520 , and wings  560   a,b  extending laterally from boss  550  resembling what may be considered a hammerhead shape. The purpose of wings  560   a,b  is to contact corresponding angled drive keys  1210   a,b  on floating lock  1200 . 
     A perspective view of the complementary locking member or floating lock  1200  is depicted in  FIG.  8 A . The only difference between floating lock  1200  of  FIG.  8 A  and floating lock  1212  of  FIG.  8 E  is the addition of an extension member  1280  on floating lock  1212 . Floating lock  1200  has fingers  1230   a,b  and gaps  1220  that may reciprocally correspond to fingers  520  and gaps  540  located on filter key  500  or  590 . It is not necessary for the finger/gap configuration of floating lock  1200  to be exactly complementary to the finger/gap configuration of filter key  500  or  590 . It is only necessary that floating lock  1200  is able to fully receive the inserting filter key  500  when the filter housing assembly is axially inserted into the filter base. Furthermore, once floating lock  1200  is subjected to retraction forces acting to return it partially towards its original position, it is necessary that at least one attachment member or finger on filter key  500  or  590  vertically align with at least one finger on floating lock  1200  or  1212  preventing any extraction without further shifting of floating lock  1200  or  1212 . 
     Using floating lock  1200  and filter key  500  as illustrative examples, upon slidable contact of wings  560   a,b  on filter key  500  and protrusions or drive keys  1210   a,b  on floating lock  1200 , floating lock  1200  moves in a transverse motion, perpendicular to the axial motion of insertion. In this manner, floating lock  1200  is shifted longitudinally, in a direction radially relative to the filter housing assembly axis. Fingers  520  of filter key  500  are positioned within the gaps  1220  on floating lock  1200 . Once filter key  500  is inserted, floating lock  1200  is returned partially towards its original position by retracting tensional forces, preferably by complementary spring forces, so that the fingers on floating lock  1200  align directly with fingers  520  on filter key  500 , thus preventing a direct extraction force from removing the filter housing assembly from the filter base. 
     Extended fingers  1230   a,b  are preferably constructed of the same material as floating lock  1200  and integrally formed therewith. However, fingers  1230  may also be removably attached, and the floating lock design is not limited to an integrally formed construction. Additionally, the present invention is not limited to any particular finger/gap order. It is not necessary for the finger/gap configuration on one side of floating lock  1200  to be symmetric with the finger/gap configuration on the opposite side. Floating lock  1200  is responsive to tensional forces, such as complementary springs acting on it from two separate directions to provide resistance longitudinally. Floating lock  1200  effectively moves longitudinally when acted upon by filter key  500 , and is forced to return partially towards its original position after fingers  520  of filter key  500  have traversed through gaps  1220 . Upon partial retraction, fingers  520  are aligned behind or underneath fingers  1230  of floating lock  1200 .  FIG.  8 B  is a top view of floating lock  1200  showing laterally extending fingers  1230   a,b  and adjacent gaps  1220  between the fingers. 
       FIG.  8 C  is a cross-sectional view of locking member or floating lock  1200 , depicting protrusion or drive key  1210   a , which is located at one end of floating lock  1200  on longitudinal or side panel  1240 . Drive key  1210   a  is opposite a similar drive key  1210   b  (not shown), which is located on the opposite longitudinal panel of floating lock  1200 . Both drive keys are designed to have an angled face for slidably interacting with wings  560   a,b  of boss  550  on filter key  500 . Each drive key is preferably integrally fabricated with floating lock  1200 ; however, the drive keys may be fabricated separately and attached to the longitudinal panels of floating lock  1200  by attachment means known in the art. As shown in  FIG.  8 C , below drive key  1210   a  is a position key or physical stop  1250 , preferably formed with the supporting lateral wall  1260  of floating lock  1200 . As shown in  FIG.  8 B , position key  1250  is situated between drive keys  1210   a,b . Position key  1250  may be integrally formed with lateral wall  1260 , or may be separately attached thereto by any acceptable means in the prior art, such as bonding, welding, gluing, press fitting, and the like. Position key  1250  acts as a physical stop to ensure against over travel of floating lock  1200 . Position key  1250  is situated below drive keys  1210   a,b  by a distance designed to accommodate the insertion of boss  550  of filter key  500 . Upon insertion of filter key  500  into floating lock  1200 , boss  550  traverses through gap  1270  in floating lock  1200  formed by the space between drive keys  1210   a,b . Wings  560   a,b  of boss  550  extend outward relative to the width of boss  550 , traversing between lateral wall  1260  and drive keys  1210   a,b . In this manner, wings  560   a,b  retain floating lock  1200  from retracting back to its original position while boss  550  is being inserted. At all times, floating lock  1200  is under the retraction force of resilient members, such as tandem springs, or the like, tending to keep floating lock  1200  its original position, which is preferably a centered position. During insertion of filter key  500 , wings  560   a,b  interact with drive keys  1210   a,b  to shift floating lock  1200  longitudinally off-center while under the resilient retraction forces. Upon full insertion, when boss  550  reaches and contacts position key  1250 , wings  560   a,b  are no longer held by drive keys  1210   a,b  because the length of drive keys  1210   a,b  is shorter than the length of boss  550 . At this point in the insertion process, the tensional retraction forces shift floating lock  1200  towards its original position. 
     Once wings  560   a,b  reach position key  1250 , and the user releases the insertion force initially applied on the filter housing assembly, the extraction forces from shutoff plug springs  1110  dominate. These forces push the filter housing assembly axially outwards, away from floating lock  1200 . Since wings  560   a,b  are no longer bound between drive keys  1210   a,b  and lateral wall  1260 , floating lock  1200  will tend to shift longitudinally, partially towards its original position as filter key  500  moves slightly axially outwards. At this point, wings  560   a,b  interact with edge angles  1280   a,b  to push away from the center position, shifting filter key  500 , and combining or contacting with face  1300   a,b  to keep the filter housing from retracting.  FIG.  8 D  depicts an exploded view of drive key  1210   a  with edge angle  1290   a  and face  1300   a.    
     Fingers  520  of filter key  500  are now aligned with fingers  1230  of floating lock  1200  and remain in contact in a vertical plane in the axial direction, prohibiting extraction of the filter housing assembly from the filter base. 
       FIGS.  12 A- 12 E  present yet another embodiment of a filter housing assembly  600 , having a housing  610  with a substantially cylindrical body  612  and a top portion  614  for forming a fluid-tight seal with the body. The top portion  614  is depicted as substantially dome-shaped to facilitate the filter housing assembly as a pressurized vessel; however, it may be a flat surface if design constraints require. The cylindrical body  612  and housing top portion  614  share a longitudinal axial center line  616 . A protrusion  618  extends in the axial direction upwards from top portion  614 , and outwards in a radial direction about the axial center  616 . Dimensionally, the protrusion  618  extends upwards approximately 0.15-0.35 inches—and preferably 0.24 inches—from the top surface of the housing top portion  614 . Housing  610  may hold a filter media therein for the filtration of fluids, may act as a sump, or may act as a bypass filter cartridge having no filtration media. Housing  610  is further adapted to receive a connection assembly  665  which consists of an electronic circuit component  660  and a housing  662  for receiving said electronic circuit component therein. Electronic circuit component  660  is exemplified in  FIGS.  12 - 13    and in the below description as a printed circuit board  660 , but other electronic circuit components may be used with the filter housing assembly of the present invention, including but not limited to: microcontrollers, microprocessors, microchips (such as erasable programmable read-only memories (“EPROMs”), or any other type of analog, digital, or mixed signal integrated circuit (“IC”) technology. 
     Filter housing  600  may include at least one strengthening rib  613  longitudinally located on the filter housing outer surface. Strengthening rib(s)  613  may function as a guide for inserting filter housing assembly  600  into a shroud (not shown) that may be part of the installation assembly for ensuring proper alignment with the filter base. Strengthening rib  613  is preferably integral with filter housing  600 , but may also be attachable as a separate component part. As shown in  FIG.  12 A , for example, rib  613  extends along the length of cylindrical body  612 , parallel to axial center line  616 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  12 A- 12 E , an ingress port  620  is demarcated into three distinct segments: a first or top segment  622 , a second or middle segment  623 , and a third or bottom segment  624 . The third or bottom segment  624  extends vertically upwards in a longitudinally axial direction from the surface of housing top portion  614  substantially parallel to the axial center line  616 . The ingress port bottom segment  624  is distinguished from middle segment  623  by seal  628 . The ingress port top segment  622  extends from the ingress port middle segment  623  upwards to the topmost surface of the port, and is distinguished from middle segment  623  by seal  627 . Seals  627  and  628  prohibit fluid exiting ingress port middle segment&#39;s aperture or cavity  640   a  from contacting the outer surface of the ingress port top and bottom segments  622 ,  624 , respectively, once the ingress port is inserted within a receiving filter base stanchion. Seals  627  and  628  provide a circumferential press-fit or sealing force against the inner cylindrical wall of the stanchions of the filter base (not shown). Seals  627 ,  628  are held in place on the ingress port typically by insertion into a groove within the ingress port cylindrical outer surface, such that a diameter D 1  of the outermost seal radial extension is slightly greater than the inner wall diameter of the receiving stanchion, allowing the resilient, compressible seals to be compressed by the inner wall of the receiving stanchion upon insertion, forming a fluid-tight fit. 
     In at least one embodiment, ingress port middle segment  623  has a varying diameter D 2  unequal to, and less than D 1 , such that the ingress port middle segment  623  is formed having an outer surface contour to allow for fluid to flow around the middle segment  623  after the ingress port  620  is inserted into its respective stanchion. Ingress fluid from a filter base stanchion fluid port is contained by and between seals  627 ,  628  and the circumferential stanchion inner wall. The fluid traverses around the ingress port middle segment and enters the ingress port middle segment aperture or cavity  640   a . In this manner, the filter base stanchion fluid port may be located on the opposite side of the middle segment ingress port cavity, that is, facing the middle segment outside wall, one hundred eighty degrees away from the ingress port cavity. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG.  12   , the outer surface contour of ingress middle segment  623  is depicted in the form of an hourglass shape having a smaller diameter at its center than at either the topmost or bottommost points of the middle segment closest to the seals  627 ,  628 . The ingress port middle segment&#39;s body may be formed of other shapes as well, such as a smaller cylindrical shape having a diameter less than D 1 , a rectangular or triangular segment, or cone-shaped architecture, wherein the middle segment  623  has at least one area where its measured width or diameter is less than diameter D 1 , providing an annular space for fluid to flow around the middle segment structure to allow fluid, exiting the filter base input port into the stanchion to enter the ingress port middle segment&#39;s aperture or cavity  640   a.    
     In at least one embodiment, ingress port  620  is substantially cylindrical at its top and bottom segments to correspond to the cylindrical cavity of its respective receiving stanchion. The measurements of the outermost surface contour of ingress port  620  at the seals  627 ,  628 /stanchion inner wall interface, which is identified by diameter D 1 , may be between 0.25-0.45 inches—and optionally 0.36 inches—while the ingress middle segment diameter D 2  of ingress port  620  may be between 0.2-0.4 inches, and optionally 0.28 inches. The middle segment diameter D 2  is less than diameter D 1  and the diameter of the receiving stanchion to achieve fluid flow about and around the ingress port middle segment from the exit port of the stanchion on one side to the input aperture  640   a  of the middle segment to the other side. A fluid seal is still maintained during such instances of fluid flow, such that fluid is prohibited from contacting the outer surface of the ingress port top or bottom segments. This allows for the outer surface contour of ingress middle segment  623  to be less than, and within, the compressed sealing diameter D 1  at the filter base&#39;s stanchion inner wall. Fluid is allowed to flow around the ingress middle segment, contained by the seals, and prohibited from flowing outside the middle segment. 
     An egress port  630  similarly having a substantially cylindrical body  631  with a first or top segment  632 , a second or middle segment  633 , and a third or bottom segment  634 , extends vertically upwards in a longitudinally axial direction from the top surface of housing top portion  614  substantially parallel to top portion axial center  616 . The egress port top segment  632  extends from its topmost point downwards to the egress port middle segment  633 , and is distinguished from middle segment  633  by a seal  638 . The egress port bottom segment  634  extends from housing top portion  614  upwards to the egress port middle segment  633 , and is distinguished from middle segment  633  by seal  637 . Seals  637 ,  638  prohibit fluid exiting the egress port middle segment  633  aperture or cavity  640   b  from contacting the outside surface of egress port top and bottom segments  632 ,  634 , respectively. Seals  637 ,  638  provide a circumferential press-fit or sealing force against the inner cylindrical wall of the receiving stanchion of the filter base (not shown). Seals  637 ,  638  are held in place on the egress port typically by insertion within a groove on the egress port outer wall surface, such that a diameter D 3  of the outermost seal radial extension is slightly greater than the inner wall diameter of the receiving stanchion allowing the resilient, compressible seals to be compressed by the inner wall of the receiving stanchion upon insertion, forming a fluid-tight fit. In a similar fashion as the ingress port, the egress port middle segment  633  may be formed in other shapes that allow fluid to flow around the middle segment when the middle segment is placed within the receiving filter base stanchion. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG.  12   , the outer surface contour of egress middle segment  633  is depicted in the form of an hourglass shape having a smaller diameter D 4  at its center than at either the topmost or bottommost points of the middle segment closest the seals  637 ,  638 . The egress port middle segment&#39;s body may be formed of other shapes as well, such as a smaller cylindrical shape having a diameter less than D 3 , a rectangular or triangular segment, or cone-shaped architecture, wherein the middle segment  633  has at least one area where the surface contour width or radial extension remains within the constraints of diameter D 3  to allow fluid, exiting egress port middle segment&#39;s aperture or cavity  640   b  and contained by seals  637 ,  638  and the circumferential stanchion inner wall, to flow around the egress port middle segment to the opposite side for input into the filter base from an aperture in the receiving stanchion. 
     The ingress port segments  622 - 624  and egress port segments  632 - 634  may each have outer surface contours separate and distinct from one other. In the alternative, ingress port segments  622 - 624  and egress port segments  632 - 634  may have substantially similar outer surface topologies. In any case, the respective middle segments will have an outer surface topology (e.g., the outer diameter in a substantially cylindrically shaped embodiment) that has an outer surface contour with a diameter or width that is less than the inner wall of the receiving filter base stanchion by an amount sufficient to create an annular gap that allows fluid to flow around and about the middle segments between their respective upper and lower seals. 
     The measurements of outermost diameter D 3  of egress port  630  at the seal/stanchion inner wall interface may be between 0.25-0.45 inches—and optionally 0.36 inches—while the egress middle segment  633  diameter D 4  of egress port  630  may be between 0.2-0.4 inches, and optionally 0.28 inches. The middle segment smaller radial extension D 4  is less than diameter D 3  to achieve fluid flow about and around the egress port middle segment. This allows for the outer surface contour radial extension of ingress middle segment  623  to be less than the compressed sealing diameter at the manifold&#39;s stanchion inner wall. 
     Ingress port  620  and egress port  630  both include aperture or cavity  640   a,b  located on their respective middle segments  623 ,  633  for the passage of fluid. The ingress port and egress port apertures or cavities  640   a,b  are exposed in a direction facing away from the filter base stanchion apertures that are in fluid communication with apertures  640   a,b . The opposing placement of the apertures is helpful because upon extraction of the filter cartridge, if ingress and egress apertures  640   a,b  are in a direction facing the filter base stanchion apertures (defined simply as a means of convention as a forward direction), any fluid that drains from apertures  640   a,b  may drip upon the electronics and electronic surfaces populated on the electronic circuit component or printed circuit board  660  located forward of the filter key in a PCB housing  662 . Once the filter housing  610  is installed in the filter base or manifold, the cavities  640   a,b  of the ingress and egress ports are designed to be facing away from the filter base ports (not shown). Water flowing through housing assembly  600  thus enters and exits the cavities  640   a,b , respectively, flows around the middle segments  623 ,  633  of the ingress and egress ports within the manifold stanchions, and continues into the ports. The variable widths, radial extensions or diameters D 2 , D 4  of the middle segments  623 ,  633 , respectively, allows for the water to flow around the ingress and egress port middle segments within the stanchion&#39;s cylindrical cavity without building undue pressure that could otherwise force a leak through the seals  627 ,  628 ,  637 ,  638  and onto the filter housing assembly  600 , which would otherwise cause damage to the electronics disposed on the printed circuit board  660  as further described below. 
     Ingress port and egress port  620 ,  630  extend from, and are substantially perpendicular to, a non-diameter chord line C 1  of the housing top portion  614 , as shown in  FIG.  12 E . Moving the ingress and egress ports off a corresponding parallel diameter of the housing top portion is helpful to allow for sufficient space on the housing top portion  614  for placement of the PC board housing  662  and PC board  660 . Dimensionally, the distance between chord line C 1  and a parallel diameter of housing top portion  614  may be between 0.1-0.5 inches, and optionally 0.3 inches. The ingress and egress ports are off-diagonal center in order to accommodate the remaining particular features of the housing assembly  600 . Ingress port  620  and egress port  630  are spaced apart from each other on chord line C 1  by approximately 0.65-0.85 inches, and optionally 0.74 inches. The filter key  650  is centered on, and perpendicularly intersects with, chord line C 1 . 
     The filter key  650  structured for mating attachment to a filter base or manifold is located on or connected to the housing  610 , and extends upwards in a direction parallel to the axial center  616  of the housing top portion  614 . Filter key  650  comprises a base  651  having a front lateral side  652   a , and a rear or back lateral side  652   b , with a groove  654  running therethrough for receiving protrusion  618  on housing top portion  614 , and lengthwise or longitudinal sides  653  running substantially parallel to protrusion  618 , as shown across  FIGS.  13 A- 13 C . Filter key  650  is secured to the housing top portion  614  via the connection between groove  654  and protrusion  618 . 
     Base  651  extends upward along the housing top portion axial center  616 , having the exposed front face and back face  652   a ,  652   b , respectively, and two exposed longitudinal side faces  653   a,b . A cross-section of the base  651  in a plane parallel to the front and back lateral faces  652   a,b  depicts longitudinal sides  653   a,b  gradually tapering inward through the upward extension, and then projecting upwards parallel to the central axis to a top surface that supports an attachment member such as finger  655  as discussed further below. 
     From the top of base  651  extends finger  655  (and in at least one other embodiment, a plurality of extending fingers), the finger  655  extending substantially parallel to the exposed front and back lateral faces or sides  652   a,b , and substantially perpendicular to the housing top portion axial center line  616 . Finger(s)  655  further includes on one side a contacting portion  656  forming substantially a first angle and exposed in a first direction with respect to the housing top portion, which presents a camming surface for slidably mating with a filter base drive key. In a second embodiment, an adjacent side  657  is introduced (as depicted in  FIG.  13   ) forming a second angle and exposed in a second direction with respect to the housing top portion, such that the first angle and the second angle are not equal. 
     Once installed on the housing top portion, the filter key is spaced approximately 0.4-0.6 inches—and optionally 0.53 inches—from either port  620 ,  630 , as measured on the chord line C 1  from the closest outer surface point of either port on each side of the filter key. In this manner, the filter key is centered between the ports. The filter key extends frontwards (away from the exposed face of apertures  640   a,b ) beyond chord line C 1 , extending through the center of both ports, such that lengthwise the filter key is not centered about the chord line C 1 , and extends in one direction (conventionally only, defined as frontwards) further away from the ingress and egress ports than in the opposite direction. 
     A PCB housing or holder  662  having a recess  663  formed for receiving the printed circuit board  660  is extended frontwards from the filter key base. The PCB housing and recess being attachable to, or preferably integral with, filter key  650 , as shown in  FIGS.  13 A- 13 C . The printed circuit board  660  may alternatively be connected directly to the filter housing  610 , without the need for a PCB housing structure, as exemplified in  FIGS.  14 A- 14 D . 
     The filter key may extend partially within recess  663  as depicted in  FIG.  13 A . This filter key extended portion  650   a  may cause the attaching PC board to be shaped to accommodate the extended portion  650   a , giving the PC board an elongated “horseshoe” shaped footprint around the extended portion. Recess  663  is substantially linear at one end  663   a  as shown in  FIG.  13 A , extending outwards from the filter key base exposed side faces  653   a,b . The opposing side  663   b  of recess  663  may be curved as shown. The PCB housing  662  may have a length (from outside wall to outside wall) of approximately 1.47-1.67 inches (optionally 1.57 inches), and a lateral or shorter dimension of approximately 0.63-0.83 inches (optionally 0.73 inches). Recess  663  is depicted with a lengthwise dimension (from inside wall to inside wall) that may have a length at its substantially linear end  663   a  of approximately 1.37-1.57 inches (and optionally 1.47 inches), and with a lateral or shorter dimension having a length of approximately 0.52-0.72 inches (and optionally 0.62 inches), such that the recess resembles approximately a rectangular basin with curved corners on the end furthest from the filter key. 
     PCB housing  662  is connected to, or integral with, the longitudinal sides  653   a,b  of the filter key and extends on each side past—and centered about—the filter key exposed side faces  652   a,b  respectively. When installed, the PCB housing bottom surface preferably forms to the shape of the housing top portion  614 . As the housing top portion  614  is depicted in one embodiment as being domed shaped, the PCB housing bottom surface is concave facing the housing top portion. 
     The PCB housing sidewalls extend upward from the PCB housing bottom surface such that the top edge of the PCB housing plateaus in a planar surface perpendicular to the housing axial center  616 . The PCB housing is designed to receive a relatively straight, flat PC board. Alternatively, the PCB housing may be shaped in a non-plateauing manner to accommodate a printed circuit board that is not shaped as a flat board, and to allow for a proper electrical attachment of the filter housing  610  to a connector on the filter base. 
     PCB housing may be alternatively designed to extend past the rear lateral exposed back side of the filter key (not shown). In another alternative, PCB housing  662  may be presented as its own distinct piece separate from the filter key  650 , to be separately connected to the housing assembly  600  (not shown). In still a further alternative, PCB housing  662  may be integral with the housing  610 , either at the top portion  614  or elsewhere on the housing body  612  as manufacturing demands may require. 
     PCB housing  662  further includes exposed terminal posts  664  disposed therein for mechanically supporting the printed circuit board  660 . Other extension features or ledges extending internally from the recess side walls  663   a,b  are used to support the PC Board about its periphery. 
     The PCB includes pads  661  for electrical connection to a connector located on the filter base. The pads  661  are optionally gold plated, and designed for swiping interaction with a corresponding connector terminal (not shown) during the insertion and removal of the filter assembly from its respective base. In an embodiment, the PC board includes four pads (two sets of two pad connectors) for electrical connection. The pads are exposed facing upwards on the PC board, and are preferably rectangular in footprint shape to accommodate tolerances in the filter base connector, especially during the pushing motion for insertion and extraction of the filter cartridge. 
     In operation, printed circuit board  660  assists a processor in utilizing crypto-authentication elements with protected hardware based key storage (up to 16 keys). Electronic components such as authentication chips, capacitors, resistors, diodes, LED&#39;s, and the like, are supported on the bottom side of the PCB, opposite the pads  661 . The printed circuit board executes encryption capabilities using secure hash algorithms (“SHA”) with 256 bit key lengths. The circuit board  660  is further capable of housing additional electronics for storing information pertaining to estimated water flow (through the filter housing assembly), and total filter usage time. This information is communicated via a main control board, the main control board being optionally installed on or within a refrigerator, and which further monitors the filter usage time and estimated water flow, among other variables. 
     In at least one embodiment of the present invention, electrical connection of filter housing assembly  600  to a mating filter base may be achieved using an electrical connector or wire harness assembly such as that of  FIGS.  15 - 18   . It should be understood by those skilled in the art that a wire harness assembly as described herein is only one illustrative means of making an electrical connection between the filter housing assembly and a mating filter base according to the present invention, and that other means of making such electrical connection are not precluded. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , an illustrative wire harness  710  (also referred to as an electrical connector  710 ) includes a first connector  712 , a second connector  714 , and wires or conductors  716  extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, four conductors  716  are provided, but other numbers of conductors  716  can be provided to accommodate the electrical requirements without departing from the scope of the invention. In typical applications, the harness  710  is operatively connected to, positioned at, and/or forms a part of a filter base for mating with a complementary filter housing assembly. Here, in some embodiments, the first connector  712  of the wire harness  710  is operatively coupled (e.g., electrically and mechanically coupled) with a corresponding connection component of a filter base assembly. 
     Contacts  718  are provided at one end of the conductors  716 . The contacts  718  are configured to be inserted into the housing  720  of the first connector  712 . While crimped contacts  718  are shown, the contacts  718  are not so limited. In addition, the first connector  712  need not be limited to the type of plug connector shown. In some embodiments, the first connector  712  is connected to the circuitry of an appliance, such as a refrigerator. 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  16 - 18   , the second connector  714  has resilient contacts  722  provided therein. In the embodiment shown, four contacts  722  are provided so that each of the conductors  716  may be terminated. However, other numbers of contacts  722  may be provided based on the number of conductors  716 . The contacts  722  are stamped and formed from material having the appropriate electrical and mechanical characteristics. 
     The contacts  722  have wire termination sections  724 , transition or compliant sections  726 , and mating portions or substrate engagement sections  728  for connection to a mating connection surface of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit component (e.g., circuit pads or connection devices  740  of electronic circuit component  742 ). The wire termination sections  724  have folded over areas  730  provided proximate the free ends  732 . Slots  734  are provided in the folded over areas  730  to form insulation displacement slots which cooperate with the conductors  716  to place the contacts  722  in electrical engagement with the conductors  716 . 
     The transition or compliant sections  726  extend from the wire termination sections  724 . In the illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or compliant sections  726  extend at essentially right angles from the wire termination sections  724 , although other angles may be used. Embossments  736  extend from the wire termination sections  724  to the transition or compliant sections  726  to provide additional strength and stability between the wire termination sections  724  and the transition or compliant sections  726 . The shape, size and positioning of the embossments  736  may be varied depending upon the amount of stiffness or resiliency of the contacts that is desired. 
     The substrate engagement sections  728  extend from the transition or compliant sections  726 . In the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate engagement sections  728  extend at essentially right angles from the transition or compliant sections  726 , although other angles may be used. The substrate engagement sections or mating portions  728  have curved contact sections  738  which are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with circuit pads or connection devices  740  (e.g., of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit component  742 , such as pads  661  of printed circuit board  660  of filter housing assembly  600 , as described with respect to  FIGS.  12 - 13   ). In at least one embodiment, the wire harness  710  is positioned within a water filter base assembly of an appliance, such as a refrigerator. Here, the wire harness  710  may positioned within a filter base that is configured to receive a corresponding mating filter housing or cartridge assembly (e.g., a water filter cartridge). In such embodiment, the wire harness  710  may be employed to establish an electrical connection between the circuitry of the refrigerator and the connection assembly of the filter cartridge (e.g., a water filter cartridge). Embossments  744  are provided on the curved contact sections  738  to provide additional strength and stability to the curved contact sections  738 . The shape, size and positioning of the embossments  744  may be varied depending upon the amount of stiffness or resiliency of the contacts that is desired. 
     The connector housing  746  of the second connector  714  has an upper surface  748  and an oppositely facing lower surface  750 . Contact-receiving enclosures  752  extend from the upper surface  748  in a direction away from the lower surface  750 . In the embodiment shown, four contact-receiving enclosures  752  are provided so that each of the contacts  722  may be positioned in a contact-receiving enclosure  752 . However, other numbers of contact-receiving enclosures  752  may be provided based on the number of contacts  722  and conductors  716 . The contact-receiving enclosures  752  are dimensioned to receive the free ends  732  of the contacts  722  and a portion of the folded over areas  730  of the wire termination sections  724  therein. 
     Conductor-receiving conduits  754  are provided between the upper surface  748  and the lower surface  750 . The conductor-receiving conduits  754  are dimensioned to receive a portion of the conductors  716  therein. The conductor-receiving conduits  754  are provided in-line with the contact-receiving enclosures  752  such that the conductors  716  positioned in the conductor-receiving conduits  754  extend through the contact-receiving enclosures  752 . 
     Contact-receiving projections  756  extend from the lower surface  750  in a direction away from the upper surface  748 . In the embodiment shown, four contact-receiving projections  756  are provided so that each of the contacts  722  may be positioned in a contact-receiving projection  756 . However, other numbers of contact-receiving projections  756  may be provided based on the number of contacts  722  and conductors  716 . Slots  758  are provided in the contact-receiving projections  56 . The slots  758  are dimensioned to receive and retain a portion of the folded over areas  30  of the wire termination sections  724  therein. 
     During assembly of the second electrical connector  714  and the wire harness  710 , the conductors  716  are inserted in the conductor-receiving conduits  754 , such that ends of the conductors  716  extend in the conductor-receiving conduits  754  past the contact-receiving enclosures  752 . 
     With the conductors  716  fully inserted, the contacts  722  are inserted into the connector housing  746  from the bottom surface  750 . The folded over areas  730  of the wire termination sections  724  are inserted into the slots  758  of the contact-receiving projections  756 . As the insertion of the contacts  722  continues, the slots  734  of the folded over areas  730  of the wire termination sections  724  engage the conductors  716  positioned in the conductor-receiving conduits  754 , causing the insulation of the conductors  716  to be displaced, as is known for insulation displacement type contacts, and providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the contacts  722  and the conductors  716 . 
     With the wire termination sections  724  properly positioned in the slots  758  of the contact-receiving projections  756 , the wire termination sections  724  are maintained in position by barbs, interference fit, or other known means. 
     With the contacts  722  properly secured to the conductors  716  and the housing  746  of the electrical connector  714 , the electronic circuit component  742 , such as printed circuit board  660 , is moved into engagement with the curved sections  738  of the substrate engagement sections  728  of the contacts  722 . As this occurs, the resilient contacts  722  flex (e.g., compress, deform, or the like) from one position to another, such that the curved sections  738  of the substrate engagement sections  728  of the contacts  722  exert a force on the mating connection surfaces or circuit pads  740  (also referred to as one or more connection devices  740 ) of the electronic circuit component  742  (e.g., circuit pads  661  of printed circuit board  660 ) to retain the contacts  722  in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads  740 . 
     When mating between the electronic circuit component  742  and the contacts  722  occurs, the movement of the electronic circuit component  742  (e.g., printed circuit board  660 ) toward the electrical connector  714  causes the contacts  722  to resiliently deform or deflect by 4 mm or more to provide a sufficient mating force between the contacts  722  and the circuit pads  740 . As the resilient deflection of the contacts  722  occurs, the wire termination sections  724  remains in a fixed position in the slots  758  of the contact-receiving projections  756 . The substrate engagement sections  728  are moved in a direction which is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contacts  722 , causing the transition or compliant sections  726  to pivot about the points where the transition or compliant sections  726  engage the wire termination sections  724 . The rigidity of the points where the transition or compliant sections  726  engage the wire termination sections  724  and the rigidity of the embossments  736  determine the mating force applied by the contacts  722  to the circuit pads  740 . 
     After mating of the circuit pads  740  to the contacts  722  occurs, the electrical connector  714  and the electronic circuit component  742  (e.g., printed circuit board  660 ) are maintained in position by latches or other means to prevent the unwanted withdraw of the circuit pads  740  from the contacts  722 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  19  through  21   , a second illustrative wire harness  7110  (also referred to as an electrical connector  7110 ) includes a first connector  7112 , a second connector  7114  and wires or conductors  7116  extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, four conductors  7116  are provided, but other number of conductors  7116  can be provided to accommodate the electrical requirements without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Contacts  7118  are provided at one end of the conductors  7116 . The contacts  7118  are configured to be inserted into the housing  7120  of the first connector  7112 . While crimped contacts  7118  are shown, the contacts  7118  are not so limited. In addition, the first connector  7112  is not limited to the type of plug connector shown. In some embodiments, the first connector  7112  is connected to the circuitry of an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator). 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  19  and  20   , the second connector  7114  has resilient contacts  7122  provided therein. In the embodiment shown, four contacts  7122  are provided so that each of the conductors  7116  may be terminated. However, other numbers of contacts  7122  may be provided based on the number of conductors  7116 . The contacts  7122  are stamped and formed from material having the appropriate electrical and mechanical characteristics. 
     The contacts  7122  have housing termination sections  7124 , transition or compliant sections  7126  and mating portions or substrate engagement sections  7128  for connection to a mating connection surface of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit component (e.g., circuit pads or connection devices  7140  of electronic circuit component  7142 ). The housing termination sections  7124  have housing engagement members  7130  which extend from vertical members  7132 . Mounting openings  7134  ( FIG.  21   ) are provided in the housing engagement members  7130 . In the illustrative embodiment shown, the housing engagement members  7130  extend at essentially right angles from the vertical members  7132 , although other angles may be used. Embossments  7136  extend from the housing engagement members  7130  to the vertical members  7132  to provide additional strength and stability. The shape, size and positioning of the embossments  7136  may be varied depending upon the amount of stiffness or resiliency of the contacts that is desired. 
     The transition or compliant sections  7126  extend from the housing termination sections  7124 . In the illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or compliant sections  7126  extend at essentially right angles from the housing termination sections  7124 , although other angles may be used. 
     The substrate engagement sections  7128  extend from the transition or compliant sections  7126 . In the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate engagement sections  7128  extend at essentially right angles from the transition or compliant sections  7126 , although other angles may be used. The substrate engagement sections  7128  or mating portions have curved contact sections  7138  which are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with circuit pads  7140  of a mating electronic circuit component  7142  ( FIG.  19   ), such as pads  661  of printed circuit board  660  as shown in  FIGS.  12 - 14   . Embossments  7144  are provided on the curved contact sections  7138  to provide additional strength and stability between the curved contact sections  7138 . The shape, size and positioning of the embossments  7144  may be varied depending upon the amount of stiffness or resiliency of the contacts that is desired. 
     The connector housing  7146  of the second connector  7114  has an upper surface  7148  and an oppositely facing lower surface  7150 . As best shown in  FIG.  21   , openings  7152  extend from the upper surface  7148  to the lower surface  7150 . In the embodiment shown, four openings  7152  are provided, however other numbers of openings  7152  may be provided based on the number of contacts  7122  and conductors  7116 . The openings  7152  are dimensioned to receive the mounting hardware  7154  therein. 
     Ring contacts  7156  are provided at the ends of the conductors  7116 . The ring contacts  7156  are provided in-line with the openings  7152 . The ring contacts  7156  have openings  7158  to receive the mounting hardware  7154  therein. 
     During assembly of the second electrical connector  7114  and the wire harness  7110 , the openings  7158  of the ring contacts  7156  of the conductors  7116  are positioned in line with the openings  7152 . The mounting openings  7134  of the contacts  7122  are also positioned in line with the openings  7152 . The mounting hardware  7154  is inserted through the openings  7158 , the openings  7152  and the openings  7134  to secure the conductors  7116  and the contacts  7122  to the connector housing  7146 . The mounting hardware  7154  also provides the electrical connection between the ring contacts  7156  of the conductors  7116  and the contacts  7122 . 
     With the contacts  7122  properly secured to the housing  7146  of the electrical connector  7114 , the printed circuit board  7142  is moved into engagement with the curved sections  7138  of the substrate engagement sections  7128  of the contacts  7122 . As this occurs, the resilient contacts  7122  flex (e.g., compress or deform) from one position to another, such that the curved sections  7138  of the substrate engagement sections  7128  of the contacts  7122  exert a force on the mating connection surfaces or circuit pads  7140  of the electronic circuit component or printed circuit board  7142  to retain the contacts  7122  in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads  7140 . 
     When mating between the printed circuit board  7142  and the contacts  7122  occurs, the movement of the electronic circuit component  7142  toward the electrical connector  114  causes the contacts  7122  to resiliently deform or deflect by 4 mm or more to provide a sufficient mating force between the contacts  7122  and the circuit pads  7140 . As the resilient deflection of the contacts  7122  occur, the housing engagement members  7130  and the vertical members  7132  of the housing termination sections  7124  remains in a fixed position. The substrate engagement sections  7128  are moved in a direction which is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contacts  7122 , causing the transition or compliant sections  7126  to pivot about the points where the transition or compliant sections  7126  engage the vertical members  7132 . The rigidity of the points where the transition or compliant sections  7126  engage the vertical members  7132  determine the mating force applied by the contacts  7122  to the circuit pads  7140 . 
     After mating of the circuit pads  7140  to the contacts  7122  occurs, the electrical connector  7114  and the circuit board  7142  are maintained in position by latches or other means to prevent the unwanted withdraw of the circuit pads  7140  from the contacts  7122 . 
       FIG.  22    depicts another embodiment of a filter base assembly in accordance with the present invention, which is adapted to operatively connect to a wire harness assembly for making an electrical connection between the filter base and a complementary mating filter housing assembly, such as filter housing assembly  600 . Filter base  1000  includes a base platform  1010  having an enclosure  1011  for holding a locking member such as floating or sliding lock  1012  in place while allowing it to freely move in a direction perpendicular to the axial extensions of the stanchions  1001   a,b , off its center position and back to its center position during the insertion and extraction of a mating filter housing assembly, such as filter housing assembly  600 . Stanchions  1001   a,b  are disposed on either side of enclosure  1011  for receiving ingress and egress ports of a mating filter housing. In one or more embodiments, floating lock  1012  may be structurally identical to floating lock  12 , as described above with respect to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 E . In other embodiments, enclosure  1011  may also hold floating lock  1200  and floating lock  1212  of  FIG.  8   . For simplicity, reference is made chiefly to the interaction of enclosure  1011  with floating lock  1012  (e.g., locking member or floating lock  12 ), although it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the applicability of enclosure  1011  includes usage with floating lock  1200  and  1212  as well. Enclosure  1011  includes a protruding encasement  1002 , larger than floating lock  1012 , and made to enclose floating lock  1012  therein. Encasement  1002  prevents over-travel of floating lock  1012 , and protects it when installed from extraneous, unintended movement. 
     Ingress/egress stanchions  1001   a,b  are located on opposite sides of encasement  1002  on laterally-extending portions of base platform enclosure  1011 , that is, the portions of enclosure  1011  that run perpendicular to the longer or longitudinal sides of enclosure  1011 . Ports  1003   a,b  represent the ingress and egress ports for the fluid and extend along parallel axes to stanchions  1001   a,b , respectively, and are connected to the water lines of the refrigerator. Shut-off stanchions  1001   a,b  include shutoff plugs (not shown), which act as valve seals to stop fluid flow when the filter cartridge is being removed. Shut-off stanchions  1001   a,b  are preferably cylindrical in shape, containing spring activated, O-ring sealed plugs for sealing the ingress and egress lines during filter cartridge removal. In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  22   , base platform  1010  is formed integrally with stanchions  1001   a,b , which are disposed on either longitudinal side of base platform enclosure  1011 . Each ingress/egress stanchion  1001   a,b  has an upper stanchion portion  1004   a,b  extending perpendicularly upwards with respect to a top surface of base platform  1010  in an axial direction and a lower stanchion portion  1005   a,b  extending downwards with respect to base platform  1010  in the axial direction. In at least one embodiment, stanchions  1001   a,b  may be spaced apart from each other by approximately 0.65-0.85 inches, and optionally 0.74 inches, to accommodate insertion of ingress and egress ports of a mating filter housing assembly, such as ingress and egress ports  620 ,  630  of filter housing assembly  600 . Enclosure  1011  includes curved portions shaped to go around shut-off stanchions  1001   a,b  and further includes a center aperture  1031  that allows for longitudinal movement (parallel to the longitudinal sides) of locking member or floating lock  1012 . As best seen in  FIG.  22 A , floating lock  1012  may include an extension member  1080  opposite the face configured with extended attachment members or fingers and gaps ( FIG.  22   ), in order to permit resilient components, such as helical or torsion springs to act upon it. In these embodiments, the extension member  1080  is acted upon by resilient devices held within spring housing  1090 , as shown in  FIG.  22 A . In an embodiment, spring housing  1090  is preferably attached by snap fit to filter base  1000 , although other attachment schemes known in the art may be easily employed, such as bonding, welding, and assorted mechanical fasteners. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  23 - 24   , a wire harness  810  (also referred to as an electrical connector  810 ) for mechanical connection with filter base  1000  is shown. Wire harness  810  includes a first connector  812 , a second connector  814  and wires or conductors  816  extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, four conductors  816  are provided, but other numbers of conductors  816  can be provided to accommodate the electrical requirements without departing from the scope of the invention. In typical applications, the harness  810  is operatively connected to, positioned at, and/or forms a part of a filter base for mating with a complementary filter housing assembly (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  25  through  29    and described in more detail below). Here, and in at least some other embodiments of the present invention, the first connector  812  of the wire harness  810  is operatively coupled (e.g., electrically and mechanically coupled) with a corresponding connection component of filter base  1000 . 
     Contacts (not shown) are provided at a first end of the conductors  816 . The contacts are configured to be inserted into the housing  820  of the first connector  812 , and may be crimped in a similar manner to contacts  718  and  7118 , as shown in  FIGS.  17  and  21   , respectively; however it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the contacts are not so limited. In addition, the first connector  812  is not limited to the type of plug connector shown. In one or more embodiments, the first connector  812  is connected to the circuitry of an appliance, such as a refrigerator. 
     The second connector  814  has resilient contacts  822  provided therein. In the embodiment shown, four contacts  822  are provided so that each of the conductors  816  may be terminated. However, other numbers of contacts  822  may be provided based on the number of conductors  816 . The contacts  822  are stamped and formed from material having the appropriate electrical and mechanical characteristics. 
     The contacts  822  have wire termination sections  824 , transition or compliant sections  826  and substrate engagement sections  828  or mating portions for connection to a mating connection surface of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit component (e.g., circuit pads  661  of printed circuit board  660  of filter housing assembly  600 ). The wire termination sections  824  may have folded over areas provided proximate the free ends (not shown). Slots may be provided in the folded over areas to form insulation displacement slots which cooperate with the conductors  816  to place the contacts  822  in electrical engagement with the conductors  816 . In one or more embodiments, the free ends of contacts  822  may be configured in a similar manner to contacts  722 , with folded over areas  730  proximate free ends  732  and including slots  734  therein, as shown in  FIG.  18   ; however it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration of contacts  822  is not so limited. 
     The transition or compliant sections  826  extend from the wire termination sections  824 . In the illustrative embodiment shown, the transition or compliant sections  826  extend at obtuse angles from the wire termination sections  824 , although other angles may be used, such as essentially right angles. Embossments  836  may extend from the wire termination sections  824  to the transition or compliant sections  826  to provide additional strength and stability between the wire termination sections  824  and the transition or compliant sections  826 . The shape, size and positioning of the embossments  836  may be varied depending upon the amount of stiffness or resiliency of the contacts that is desired. 
     The substrate engagement sections  828  extend from the transition or compliant sections  826 . In the illustrative embodiment shown, the substrate engagement sections  828  extend upwardly at essentially right angles from the transition or compliant sections  826 , although other angles may be used. The substrate engagement sections or mating portions  828  have curved contact sections  838  which are configured to be positioned in mechanical and electrical engagement with circuit pads or connection devices of a corresponding connection assembly having an electronic circuit component, such as circuit pads  661  of printed circuit board  660  of filter housing assembly  600 , as described with respect to  FIGS.  12 - 14   . In a particular embodiment, the wire harness  810  is positioned within a water filter base assembly of an appliance. In some embodiments, the appliance is a refrigerator. Here, the wire harness  810  is positioned within filter base  1000  configured to receive a corresponding mating filter housing or cartridge assembly (e.g., a water filter cartridge). In such embodiment, the wire harness  810  may be employed to establish an electrical connection between the circuitry of the refrigerator and the connection assembly of the filter cartridge (e.g., a water filter cartridge). In one or more embodiments, embossments may be provided on the curved contact sections  838  to provide additional strength and stability to the curved contact sections  838 . The shape, size, and positioning of the embossments may be varied depending upon the amount of stiffness or resiliency of the contacts that is desired. 
     The connector housing  846  of the second connector  814  has an upper surface  848  and an oppositely facing lower surface  850  comprising substantially planar extended portions  849 ,  851  separated by a gapped recess  847  for accommodating a portion of base platform encasement  1002  and floating lock  1012  disposed therebetween ( FIG.  27   ). Extensions  849 ,  851  are connected by a midportion  853  such that connector housing  846  forms a substantially “U”-shaped member for at least partially surrounding encasement  1002  and floating lock  1012 . Midportion  853  includes a slot  855  for receiving resilient tongue  1070  of housing  1090  therein for securing connector housing  846  to filter base  1000 , as shown, for example, in  FIGS.  25 - 26   . Connector housing  846  is preferably attached by snap fit to enclosure  1011  by inserting at least a portion of housing extended portions  849 ,  851  into laterally-extending slotted portions  1020   a  and  1020   b , respectively, of base platform  1010  ( FIG.  22   ) to allow tongue  1070  to be received, such as by snap-fit, in connector housing slot  855 , although other attachment schemes known in the art may be easily employed, such as bonding, welding, and assorted mechanical fasteners. 
     Contact-receiving enclosures  852  positioned on or integral with each of planar extensions  849 ,  851  extend from the connector housing upper surface  848  in a direction away from the lower surface  850 . In the embodiment shown, four contact-receiving enclosures  852  are provided so that each of the contacts  822  may be positioned in a contact-receiving enclosure  852 . However, other numbers of contact-receiving enclosures  852  may be provided based on the number of contacts  822  and conductors  816 . The contact-receiving enclosures  852  are dimensioned to receive the free ends of the contacts  822  and a portion of the wire termination sections  824  therein. 
     Conductor-receiving conduits  854  are provided integral with upper surface  848  and the lower surface  850 . The conductor-receiving conduits  854  are dimensioned to receive a portion of the conductors  816  therein. The conductor-receiving conduits  854  are provided in-line with the contact-receiving enclosures  852  such that the conductors  816  positioned in the conductor-receiving conduits  854  extend through the contact-receiving enclosures  852 . 
     Contact-receiving projections  856  extend from the connector housing lower surface  850  in a direction away from the upper surface  848 . In the embodiment shown, four contact-receiving projections  856  are provided so that each of the contacts  822  may be positioned in a contact-receiving projection  856 . However, other numbers of contact-receiving projections  856  may be provided based on the number of contacts  822  and conductors  816 . Slots  858  are provided in the contact-receiving projections  856 . The slots  858  are dimensioned to receive and retain a portion of the wire termination sections  824  therein. 
     During assembly of the second electrical connector  814  and the wire harness  810 , the conductors  816  are inserted in the conductor-receiving conduits  854 , such that ends of the conductors  816  extend in the conductor-receiving conduits  854  past the contact-receiving enclosures  852 . 
     With the conductors  816  fully inserted, the contacts  822  are inserted into the connector housing  846  from the bottom surface  850 . A portion of the wire termination sections  824  are inserted into the slots  858  of the contact-receiving projections  856 . As the insertion of the contacts  822  continues, the wire termination sections  824  engage the conductors  816  positioned in the conductor-receiving conduits  854 , causing the insulation of the conductors  816  to be displaced, as is known for insulation displacement type contacts, and providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the contacts  822  and the conductors  816 . 
     With the wire termination sections  824  properly positioned in the slots  858  of the contact-receiving projections  856 , the wire termination sections  824  are maintained in position by barbs, interference fit, or other known means. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  28 - 29   , filter base  1000  with electrical connector or wire harness  810  is shown connected to a corresponding mating filter housing assembly  600 . In one or more embodiments, the interaction between filter key  650  of filter housing assembly  600  and floating lock  1012  is identical to that described above with respect to the interaction between filter key  5  and floating lock  12 , for example. Filter key  650  includes at least one finger or extended attachment member used to mate with, or interlock with, corresponding protrusions or drive keys  1023   a,b  located on longitudinal sides of floating lock  1012 , such that when filter key  650  is inserted to mate with floating lock  1012 , the filter key attachment member slidably contacts the drive keys to shift floating lock  1012  longitudinally off its initial position an incremental amount to allow the filter key finger to traverse between gaps on floating lock  1012 . Once the fingers have passed between the corresponding gaps on floating lock  1012 , which is slidably restrained under tensional forces, floating lock  1012  is partially returned towards its original position by the tensional retraction forces so that the filter key finger aligns or interlocks with at least one protrusion or drive key on floating lock  1012 , and the alignment resists any direct outward, axial extraction forces. 
     In at least one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  30   , locking member or floating lock  1012  may include at least one drive key  1024 , and preferably a pair of opposing drive keys  1024   a  and  1024   b , which is shaped differently from the remaining drive keys  1023   a,b  to facilitate interlocking or latching between filter key  650  and floating lock  1012 , such as if the filter housing is inserted into the filter base too slowly or with insufficient axial insertion force. As best seen in  FIG.  30 A , drive key  1024  includes a receiving wedge  1029  having an extended shelf portion  1030  (as compared to drive keys  1023   a,b ) to capture the attachment members or fingers of the filter key, opposite slanted edge  1021 . As shown in  FIG.  30   , drive keys  1024   a ,  1024   b  are positioned at one end of floating lock  1012 , with spaced protrusions or drive keys  1023   a,b  forming the remainder of the longitudinal sides of the lock; however, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that in other embodiments, any of drive keys  1023   a,b  may instead be replaced with drive keys  1024  without negatively impacting the intended interlocking functionality. Upon insertion, when fingers of the filter key contact drive keys  123   a,b , and  1024 , floating lock  1012  shifts away from its initial position, against retraction forces, and moves according to the contacting angled portions or edges  58  and  1021 . Once the wings of the filter key&#39;s fingers clear lip  1027  of the drive keys, floating lock  1012  is not prohibited from reacting to the retraction forces, and moves slightly back, towards its original position where the diamond shaped wings are then trapped by receiving wedges  1029 . This position locks filter key  650  to floating lock  1012  resisting any a direct axial extraction force. 
     For simplicity, a further detailed description of the interaction between filter key  650  and lock  1012  will not be repeated herein; however, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the releasably-securable locking mechanism of this embodiment of the present invention functions in an otherwise similar manner as that described above with respect to filter key  5  and slidable lock  12 , for example. 
     The electrical connection between wire harness  810  and printed circuit board  660  will now be described. With the contacts  822  properly secured to the conductors  816  and the housing  846  of the electrical connector  814 , as filter housing assembly  600  is inserted into filter base  1000 , printed circuit board  660  is moved into engagement with the curved contact sections  838  of the substrate engagement sections  828  of the contacts  822  of wire harness  810 . As this occurs, the resilient contacts  822  flex (e.g., compress, deform, or the like) from one position to another, such that the curved sections  838  of the substrate engagement sections  828  of the contacts  822  exert a force on the mating connection surfaces or circuit pads  661  of printed circuit board  660  to retain the contacts  822  in mechanical and electrical engagement with the circuit pads  661 . 
     When mating between the printed circuit board  660  and the contacts  822  occurs, the movement of the printed circuit board  660  toward the electrical connector  814  causes the contacts  822  to resiliently deform or deflect by 4 mm or more to provide a sufficient mating force between the contacts  822  and the circuit pads  661 . As the resilient deflection of the contacts  822  occurs, the wire termination sections  824  remains in a fixed position in the slots  858  of the contact-receiving projections  856 . The substrate engagement sections  828  are moved in a direction which is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contacts  822 , causing the transition or compliant sections  826  to pivot about the points where the transition or compliant sections  826  engage the wire termination sections  824 . The rigidity of the points where the transition or compliant sections  826  engage the wire termination sections  824  and the rigidity of the embossments  836  determine the mating force applied by the contacts  822  to the circuit pads  661 . 
     After mating of the circuit pads  661  to the contacts  822  occurs, the electrical connector  814  and the printed circuit board  660  are maintained in position by latches or other means to prevent the unwanted withdrawal of the circuit pads  661  from the contacts  822 . 
     In a particular embodiment, an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator) may include a wire harness assembly as described herein, and the wire harness may be connected to the circuitry of the appliance. In the instances where the appliance is a refrigerator, the wire harness may be part of a refrigerator manifold that is configured to receive a water filter. In this regard, the electrical connection component or printed circuit board may be located on the exterior of the water filter and connected to the circuitry of the water filter. When the water filter is inserted into the manifold, the wire harness engages the printed circuit board in order to establish an electrical connection between the circuitry of the refrigerator and the circuitry of the water filter. 
     In one or more embodiments, the electrical communication between contacts  822  and printed circuit board  660  may be used as part of an electronic authentication system for a filter housing or cartridge assembly, such as filter housing assembly  600 . In such embodiments, the filter housing of the filter cartridge may further include a memory device embedded therein, such as a microchip or an integrated circuit, which includes a unique identifier associated with the filter cartridge, such that circuitry associated with the filter base may be used to determine, based on the unique identifier, whether the filter cartridge is a valid or authentic OEM (Original Engineering Manufacturer) filter cartridge by electronic authentication, or for determining other criteria associated with the filter cartridge, such as whether the filter media in a replaceable filter cartridge has reached the end of its useful life. 
     It is envisioned that embodiments of the present invention may be disposed in a refrigerator (e.g., within the refrigerator cabinet). The output of the filter assembly may be selectively coupled to a water dispenser or an ice dispenser. The water source to the refrigerator would be in fluid communication with filter base  100  or filter base  1000 , and prohibited from flowing when filter housing assembly  200  or  600  is removed from filter base  100 ,  1000 . Shutoff plugs in stanchions  1101   a,b  or  1001   a,b  seal fluid flow until filter housing assembly  200 ,  600  is inserted in filter base  100 ,  1000 . Upon insertion, fluid would flow to the filter housing assembly and filter water would be returned from the filter housing assembly. 
     All parts of the filter housing assembly  200 ,  600  and filter base  100 ,  1000  may be made using molded plastic parts according to processes known in the art. The filter media may be made from known filter materials such as carbon, activated carbons, malodorous carbon, porous ceramics and the like. The filter media, which may be employed in the filter housing of the instant invention, includes a wide variety of filter media capable of reducing one or more harmful contaminants from water entering the filter housing apparatus. Representative of the filter media employable in the filter housing include those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,872,311, 6,835,311, 6,797,167, 6,630,016, 5,331,037, and 5,147,722. In addition, the filter composition disclosed in the following Published applications may be employed as the filter media: US 2005/0051487 and US 2005/0011827. 
     The filter assembly is preferably mounted on a surface in proximity to a source of water. The mounting means are also preferably in close proximity to the use of the filtered water produced by the filter housing apparatus. 
     While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.