Patent ID: 7325845

Claim:
A locking mechanism comprising: a support member defining an opening; a plunger extending through said opening, said plunger being selectively movable between an extended position, in which said plunger protrudes a first distance from said opening, and a retracted position, in which said plunger protrudes a second distance from said opening, said second distance being less than said first distance; a lip disposed on said plunger for engaging said support member to retain said plunger in said retracted position; a detent member having first and second resetting portions, each being configured to disengage said lip from said support member, thereby allowing said plunger to move to said extended position; and a spring biasing said plunger toward said extended position, said spring causing said plunger to move from said retracted position to said extended position when said lip is disengaged from said support member; wherein said detent member defines a slot with which the plunger is engageable when in the extended position; wherein said detent member further includes at least one ramp engageable with said plunger when said plunger is in said extended position to urge said plunger toward said retracted position, thereby compressing said spring to store energy therein; and wherein energy stored within said spring forces said plunger into said slot when said plunger aligns with said slot.