BALL HOLDING, LATCHING AND LOCKING APPLICATIONS USING RADIAL AND AXIAL SPRINGS

摘要

A latching mechanism includes a housing with a cavity therein with an opening thereto. A ball having a stem of smaller diameter extending from the ball. The ball is sized for insertion into the housing cavity through the opening. At least one groove in the housing cavity is disposed proximate the cavity opening and a coil spring is disposed in the groove and retains the ball for rotation within the cavity with the stem at selected conical angles.