Misc. Is a One-Piece Injection-Molded Plastic Lock Possible?

[DustyLemon]

TL;DR Summary

Trying to design a mechanical locking system using all the same material

Hi there,

I've been trying to think up a mechanical design with limited success. Before I divert more time to this I thought I'd see if anyone knows if something like this already exists, or is commonly utilized. I'm basically trying to come up with a lock system whereby it is pushed down to shut, and then requires a further push-down and pull up to unlock it. The caveat is that it needs to be made entirely from injection-moulded plastic i.e. one or two parts of the same material.

I've tried looking at different snaplatch mechanisms but the ideas I come up with seem too complicated and fragile for general use.

Any thoughts?

 

[Baluncore]

Maybe look at the way ballpoint pens are extended and retracted with a single button.

 

[anorlunda]

This search will show you lots of detailed patent drawings. For more, vary the wording of your search

https://patents.google.com/?q=push+latch&oq=push+latch

 

[jrmichler]

My medicine cabinet has a push latch - push to close, push again to open:

Try your local hardware store. These latches are cheap enough that you could buy one just to take it apart to find how it works.